Unveiled Graces

    I am the proud owner of a tyrant.   In the seven months of dog ownership, Rusty has eaten through thousands of dollars of property.   In the last week alone, he has broken the screen porch, jumped the fence, chewed through rope, broken his chain, and eaten the swing cushion.   This morning, when my next-door neighbor brought him home, I almost declined her gift.   While I love my dog, my affection for him has waned as his behavior continues to decline.   This proves my imperfect humanity.   I am so thankful that I am a child of a perfect God.   He never tires of my imperfections and mistakes.   I think of how many thousands of dollars or how many hours I have wasted, yet God’s affection for me does not waver.   His love never fails.   Jerry Bridges writes, “ God’s unfailing love for us is an objective fact affirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It is true whether we believe it or not. Our doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor does our faith create it. It originates

I am not a perfect mom.  Let's take it a step further.  I am not a Pinterest mom. I don't have cutesy craft projects displayed in my house (I admire those who do). Most of my meals I make come from the freezer (I wish they didn't). When I drop off my kids at school, I am still wearing my pajamas and I pray that I don't have to go inside for anything. My frustration rises when my children argue continuously in the car after I tell them to stop. When I compare myself to that stand out lady in Proverbs 31, I think, "there is NO WAY."  Not even on my best day.  I actually tried to "be" the Proverbs 31 woman for 31 days.  I made it to day four and quit. In my Proverbs 31 woman experiment I learned something though.  You don't have to be the "perfect" wife and mom to make a difference in the kingdom of God and the life of your family.  That is where Christ takes over and grace abounds.  I believe that the Proverbs 31 woman is being a wom

In 2013, the comedic band, Ylvis, released a dance novelty song that became an unintentional hit. "The Fox" explored the question, "what sound does a fox make?", leading millions to investigate the answer for themselves.  In the end, the duo made a fortune, the world knows the vast array of vocalizations of the fox, and you now have a very catchy song in your head.  :) I digress.  The question about the fox intrigued because we did not know the answer.  Perhaps a fox had no voice.  While a fox does indeed cry, whimper, and scream, there are animals that do not communicate by sound.  More importantly, there are people who choose not to use their voices. Self-imposed silence has been practiced since the time of Pythagoras, which was around 500 BC.  It is used as a way to bring focus to their lives or their relationship with God.  While I have never taken a personal vow of silence, I do believe that I have become more quiet over the past several years.  I long to

When I was a teenager, I loved daisies.  One year, I decided to plant daisies from seed.  After the first batch grew and bloomed, the pods withered and died.  A friend told me that I could take dead heads and spread the seeds.  I did what he told me, and the following year, the size of my garden multiplied ten fold! Jesus said in John 12:24-26, "   Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25  Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." These may be difficult words at first.  However, the more I grow in my understanding and love for Christ, the easier these words become.  This life I live is not about me.  There are many moments and days that I wish it were!  A h