Has Grace Got You?

My Saturday early morning walk with my two fur-friends before the blistering heat made its way to us, gave me these two photo opts. I saw this beautiful Grace Church in front of me and the street sign read: “Grace Street”. We turned east and ran into this morning glory of God’s grace shining through to us. My “inside voice” was singing Mercy Me’s song, “Grace Got You” that put a skip to the beat in my feet:

Have you ever met those who
Have you ever met those who
Keep humming when the song's through?
It's like they're living life to
A whole different tune.
And have you ever met those that
keep hoping when it's hopeless?
It's like they figured out / what the rest haven't yet.
The second when you realize / what you have inside
It's only just a matter of time / 'til you
Chorus:
Sing, so the back row hears you
Glide, 'cause walking just won't do
Dance, you don't have to know how to
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Laugh, 'til your whole side's hurting
Smile like you just got away with something
Why? 'Cause you just got away with something
Ever since, ever since grace got you

So when you're standing in the rain again
You might as well be dancing
Why? 'Cause there ain't no storm that
Can change how this ends
So, next time when you feel blue / Don't let that smile leave you
Why? 'Cause you have every reason just to....sing

For the uplifting beat and words that make you raise a praise to the Grace-Giver, check out the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtiUjNT_vAM

I live in God’s grace. I just know it. We all do! No matter what kind of mistake we make, there is always a solution for restitution. It comes in the form of grace. God’s grace that heals and restores. He exchanges our tarnished slate, for a fresh, clean slate so we can begin again. Mistakes are inevitable, but the good news, as God’s repentant kids, all our mistakes are forgivable. That kind of grace is so amazing, God can even turn those mistakes to something good. Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.” Most importantly, it reminds me that my God is bigger than my faults and weaknesses and He can turn anything around for His glory!

Maybe all kinds of stuff is being thrown at you -- like the media or your co-workers or your friends or family seem just too much to handle and it seems there’s no hope for tomorrow. I have good news for you. You are not alone. The ONE who created you and loves you and wants your life to be full of joy, peace and happiness…LIVES! And because He lives, your life is worth living. His grace will carry you through! Go ahead — tell tomorrow — “I’m alive. I live in the abundance of God’s grace and that grace HAS GOT ME!"

Joy to the Fishes in the Deep Blue Sea

Joy to the world – all the boys and girls. Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me! Blast from the past. That’s a couple of lines from 1970’s, “Jeremiah was a Bull Frog” sung by the band, Three Dog Night! Has really nothing to do with Christmas but “Joy to the World” sure does.

What makes us all so much more joyful this time of year? Could it be that the angel's message to the shepherds holds true for us still today? "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of GREAT JOY!" Christ is that good news that no matter how dismal everything around us might be, there is always GOOD NEWS of great joy that can change everything for us.

I took that "good news" personally for my daughter. December 8th was her big 5-0 birthday. Thanks to so many who joined me in wishing her a “Happy Birthday”. She was in Florida at a 7-day conference on her birthday, but she got the message from so many friends via social media and the surprise party we gave her before she left. You can see in these photos it was more than a birthday celebration -- it was a restitution celebration.

A few months back, Staci’s son’s car was stolen from a Dallas parking garage. Traumatic enough, but not as painful as when the car was found, it had been devoured like some kind of monster movie. Every part of the car had been removed, along with the precious treasures that were in the trunk. Payton kept those treasures close by in case he got the urge to go fishing, he was prepared. Those treasures were my husband’s beloved fishing equipment: rods, tackle, vest, etc. All had been passed onto their family because they are the avid fisher-people who learned their skills from my husband aka dad aka papa. All of it was stolen in that fiasco. So, what’s a mother to do? Carry on. That’s the way I roll and my family rolls. We don’t give the enemy the upper hand by bemoaning his tactics. We don’t give up. We get up and get over it because we are too blessed otherwise.

In this case, I asked Larry (Staci’s husband) to make a list of all that was in that trunk. He did and I got to be a restitution maker. It’s one thing to have things returned; it’s a another thing to get restitution. Staci explained it in her tears while opening each item I had wrapped in “fishing” fabric (couldn’t find fishing wrapping paper). The items stolen could have been returned in their original state (some items were worn and tattered). I was able to help bring about restitution -- making up for damages or harm. Brand new items that made up for the loss. What a JOY to see my girl so full of JOY!

“The Bible tells us in Psalm 16:11 that ‘In His presence is fullness of joy.’ If we want joy in our life, we need to revisit the Nativity scene and realize that's where God's presence was experienced in the form of that tiny baby boy. That baby boy grew up and is our living King of Kings! Daily, we can experience His presence and know that GREAT JOY! We can experience it at a birthday party or a busy restaurant. We can experience it when facing a crisis or a disappointment. Joy isn't the same as happiness. Happiness is based on those ooey, gooey feelings when everything is going right. But JOY is based on the CONSTANT of He Who lives big within us. He is that GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY so we can belt out singing "Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room......" That's the key....preparing room for Him inside to be our joy-giver, and peace-maker no matter the circumstances.

Sincerely, God wants us to GET IT – about why He sent His Son Jesus -- the good tidings of great joy which is for all people. “So, here -- take that good news of great joy with you today!” And, all you little fishes in the deep blue sea, better watch out, Staci and all her fishing gear are coming to town!