Thank God for His Amazing Grace

As I sit at my computer for hours editing the final manuscript of a soon-to-be-released book, I start to think “Thank You, God, for your amazing grace!" The author, young wife and mom of two young children, not only survived breast cancer but is knocking the ball out of the park with her story of overcoming faith in the worst season of her life. At the beginning of her journey, when the dreaded words came, "You have breast cancer”, her world came to a screeching halt and she wondered how she could make it through. That’s what we all think when we’re hit with a mind-blowing, earth-shattering, shaken-to-the-core, unwelcomed surprise of mammoth proportions. If I only read the first couple of chapters of her book and put it down, I’d be left with concern and disappointment for this young woman. Oh, but, hold on! The story didn’t stop at Chapter 2. It went on to Chapter 40 and continues on today. Thank God for His amazing grace.

As I read her story, I remembered times when I could hardly take a deep breath because of the utter pain and fear of what tomorrow would hold – never mind even making it through this day when time stood still. I have seen and endured things I would have never expected, and at the time, I wondered how I would make it. But, thank God for His amazing grace.

There is so much uncertainty in this world. So much heartache. So much disappointment. So many struggles. But thank God for His amazing grace. We know He is with us and is Who helps us hold it all together. "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

We don’t have to know or understand everything at the starting gate of our life journey. It is certainly not easy not knowing, but it is a part of our story that God will use. What gets us through, is knowing we don’t go it alone or carry the weight of it all on our own. Thank God, Who gives us the strength to carry on. When we feel we can no longer stand, He carries us. We have all we need in Him and He is faithful.

This young woman is cancer-free today. Thanks be to God. But if you knew how God brought her through it all to today, you would understand the reasons why she is so grateful and loves Him so much. The same is true for me, and I suspect, it's probably true for you, too. We've come a long way, Baby! And, it's because of God's amazing grace. Our fears don't stand a chance when we stand in God's love. Our doubts don't stand a chance when we stand in God's grace. Our concerns don't stand a chance when we stand in God's faithfulness. Whatever you're facing today, it's just temporary. God makes sure of that so stay close to Him. Rest in Him. Trust Him. In His hands, all things are possible. So let's introduce our fears, doubts, and concerns to our Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness. "Nothing is impossible with our God!"

American Ninja Warrior -- Thinking Outside the Box

Please don't judge me....I love the show "American Ninja Warrior"! I watch it while I'm in warrior mode on my treadmill (I tape the show to get each episode). I watch these people pushing their bodies beyond human possibility. They rigorously train for a year to become the "American Ninja Warrior". In 5 seasons, no one has won, yet the show has proven to be the best reality competition series ever. The competitors have their athletic & mental skills tested beyond limits in the crazy, and seemingly impossible-to-conquer obstacles. Though in 5 seasons, there has been no winner, there will be. I promise you. Olympians, professional athletes, rock climbers, runners and everyday folks -- men and women of all ages and backgrounds -- train for their one shot to compete, many of which end in mere seconds on the first obstacle. So what's the appeal?

Sure, a $500K reward is a factor, but hearing the stories of the people that overcome adversity for their cause and goals is the most amazing. Whether they're doing it for an ill friend, a mother with breast cancer or whether it's their own personal achievement -- weight loss, beating drugs or alcohol -- and it's something that we all can identity with.

Last week, I saw many veteran competitors try to win over one particular obstacle, the cannonballs -- where they had to lunge toward the hanging ball, hold tightly and lunge to the next ball. One by one, the veterans failed and fell into the water. Then a rookie, Kevin Bull, successfully made his way through all the obstacles and then it was his turn to defeat the cannonballs. I watched as he went outside the box, by thinking of another way to get it done. He swung to the last one -- and not with his hands, but his feet and conquered that obstacle. He won't be the last -- there will be others that will conquer that obstacle, too.

Wasn't that like Roger Bannister, the first to conquer the 4-minute mile, and now high school athletes can run the 4-minute mile. What are you willing to achieve by thinking outside the box? What are you willing to do to accomplish your goals? I don't know about you.....but watching the relentless determination of these warriors sure makes me want to give my ALL -- physically, mentally, and spiritually to use what God has given me....to conquer any obstacle that comes my way.....and even do so, sometimes, by "thinking outside the box"!