Normal vs. Grace

She had a Bible verse at the bottom of her email and my lip curled a bit as the thought flashed: what is SHE doing with a Bible verse on her email?

As if she wasn't good enough.

As if it wasn't normal to claim some Truth of her own.

She doesn't SEEM like someone who would normally put Scripture next to her name.

And I sit in the seat of Judge because that's much more fun and easier than sitting in front of my own reflection wondering if I look any more normal.....

Does Jesus look any more normal on me?

The Magnificence of Heaven....how can He look normal on anything created? On anyone?

Am I willing to be not-normal to receive His presence?

Am I willing to risk the curled lip, the snarled thoughts, the judgments of others as they execute verdicts on whether my actions line up with my quoted verse of the day?

But....

Isn't it all grace?

This life...this breath...these typed letters formed words.....the Word made flesh, living, rubbing shoulders with....the "normals"....

Isn't it all grace?

How can grace be anything but a lavish gift?

And if a gift...then how can we say anything but "thanks" and do anything but live grateful?

"Do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism." James 2:1

Favoritism is "normal"...Gratitude is grace.

All is grace. ALL. GRACE.

To Give Thanks - When Repayment Is Impossible

Giving thanks today for the things I cannot repay:
#121-125

Love

Redemption

Grace

Forgiveness

Restoration

Mercy

What, dear friends, has aroused a spirit of thankfulness in your hearts?

To Give Thanks - In The Midst Of Thanksgiving

With all the thankfulness thrust in our faces this past week, its hard not to have at least a few things to be thankful for on the tip of our tongues. Over the last seven days we have hosted out of town guests, fed 12 in our tiny house, had a wedding, all while three of us were fighting off colds. On this dreary Monday we are tired. Just tired. And yet, my heart is very ready to give thanks. For my God is good and He is always deserving though never needing my praise. And while there are many things I have to give thanks...on this day, I thank God for these He has strategically placed in my path:

#62-120

• His Son, Jesus Christ,
• My Husband
• My girls
• Mom
• Dad
• Sisters and their families
• In-laws and their families
• Sarah
• Karessa
• Jillynn
• Leslie
  Lisa
• Lisa
• Wanda
• Amy
• Sherrie
• Jennifer
• Ronda
• Beth
• Michelle
• Lorin
• Kasey
• Ainsley
• Robn
• Jeremy
• Kelly
• Beth
• Jack
• Anne
• Ken
• Matt
• Amy
• Amy
• Karie
• Ashley
• Caroline
• Cassie
• Kathy
• Angie
• Ashley
• Shirley
• Janice
• Terri
• Denise
• Denise
• Dot
• Jessie
• Jill
• MaryAnne
• Lara
• Lara
• Julie
• Martha
• Pam
• Susanne
• Shari
• Ken and Carol
• Barbara
• Susan

To Give Thanks - In The Rain

These past days have filled my heart to the point of bursting - not necessarily with joy...so I am choosing to give thanks today, in the rain of my life, because HE IS WORTHY, no matter what.

#45- 61

• an understanding smile
• autumn rains
• tiny arms in a big hug around the neck
• crimson-stained heart leaves of the Bradford Pear
• awaiting time with out-of-town family
• planning ahead for the holidays
• having a word in season (Isaiah 50:4)
• beautiful music
• the biographies of the faithful
• the faithful who make those biographies true
• pure belly laughing from my girls
• piggie-tails and plastic pop-beaded necklaces
• comforted tears
• rest
• the hope of something better
• cherry chap stick
• "C'mooooon sithy, come wit me!"

"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" Isaiah 52:7

Yes, He reigns, even in the rain. Especially in the rain.

Will you join me? Will you too give thanks?

To Give Thanks - A Perspective

I came home from work today frustrated by a turn of events that affected me indirectly. Situations that could have been altered or avoided had I done...more. Had someone done more. Inconveniences plagued me till I was worn out. Ready to throw in the towel. And it was barely noon.

Then I read of a girl whose "inconveniences" are tantamount to life-threatening situations and I was struck humbled and grateful that my day's events are only inconvenient and nothing more. I received a perspective on grace and gratitude. Compared to most, I should have NOTHING to share but praise...and thanks.

Giving thanks for just a few things today...

#21-44

smell of coffee brewing while still in bed
great coworkers
answered need with a willing heart
sunshine warming me
"I so happy see you momma!"
wet kisses and fierce hugs
honest bed-time heart-cries
child-prayers
laughing hard
loads of dirty laundry with clothes to spare
finding a family to help in secret
social networking at its finest - to quickly encourage across miles
baby's normal bodily functions
health during flu season
dear hubby caring for our basic needs without complaint
brilliant gift ideas
finished tasks
team work
great deals and exact finds
paying cash for saved items
sleeping past 7:00am
working heater
cotton-candy clouds
dancing leaves in the air

Now its your turn...what are you thankful for today?

To Give Thanks

Her blog is like the best dessert and warm hot beverage to soothe a heart-heavy-soul....for me. Its a wanna-be-writer looking up to the best kind of writer...one that writes for her Maker and for no other. Her words, a dance troupe, all in perfect animation, creating one whole breath-taking picture of rejoicing, of praise, of introspection, with no fear of going too deep, thinking too long, contemplating too much. Its my meat-and-potatoes of favorite blogs, if I ate meat anymore that is. Here is what she wrote today to give you an example of the richness that exudes from her posts. Praise the Lord for it, as I think that's how she prefers it....

Anyway, every Monday she sets aside that blog post for thanksgiving. To publicly and intentionally express gratitude for the "thousand gifts" surrounding her and lovingly lavished on by the One who made her. And every Monday, she invites us to do the same. Today, on the first of November, this first day on the month set aside in this country to remember our thanksgivings, I too, join her in giving my due appreciation for One Thousand Gifts....

#1-20

His grace

pink-ribboned sunrise

cool breezes and warm sun

a 2-year-old "wuv-uu"

lost-tooth excitement

family

my man

first sip of coffee

great work environment

mid-day naps

heat and hot water

new life in bundles of blankets and diapers and sweet baby smells

good friends not afraid to call at early-o-clock with praises to share

Aunt Anne and the wisdom she loves me with

sunlight coming through the windows and caressing what lies within

pictures that tell more than 1000 words

good books

The Good Book

Iron-sharpening-iron conversations about eternal truths

bloggers and their words that feels like home I've never seen


Will you join me in this journey of being thankful? Nothing but blessing can come from it.