“And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16
I step onto the plane, pulling my suitcase and carrying my dreams. My mind is full with thoughts of the journey that lies ahead. Looking at my ticket to find which aisle is mine, I see the number “2.” I’m almost past first class, heading towards coach when I realize-row 2 is not in coach. Holding up the line, I turn around to find my window seat in the highly privileged first class cabin. What a surprise!
I text my husband and he responds, “I bought the seat as a gift for you.” And what a gift-room to rest and relax and think as I fly the two hours to my writer’s conference. My heart overflows with uncertainty. My stomach tightens with fear. I look out the window at the activity below, trucks buzzing around with suitcases lined up in rows. The book proposal that lies in the bag by my feet is a labor of love, my dreams spilled out onto thirty-one pages, Times New Roman font, and in 12pt font size.
With the questions and emotions swirling in my mind, I check my email one last time before turning off my phone for takeoff. I open a message from my friend, Nikki, telling me I won a drawing on her site for a necklace. When I originally entered the contest, I chose the handstamped necklace with the imprinted words, “because of grace” as my favorite.
Because of grace.
I wonder if perhaps this gift is a gentle reminder from my Father of where lies the source of all things in my life. These words point me to the truth that this calling He’s given me is by grace. The trip and opportunity to go to the conference is only through His grace. Just like the upgraded seat on the plane is a gift, so too are the very words I birthed into my proposal, a gift of grace.
And the outcome of this journey, it’s also because of grace. Whether my dreams become a reality or are put on hold, regardless, it is all because of grace. The pleasures I enjoy in life, the trials I endure, the discipline I undergo, and the very breath I breathe are all because of His grace.
While it was a random number generator that selected my name for the necklace, nothing is random with God. Each step we take, each challenge we endure, each and every moment of our journey in faith is purposed by God for our good. “God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.” 2 Timothy 1:9 (NAS)
The daily life of faith is lived blind. We can’t see the future before us, requiring that we live in the moment. When our ears are tuned to hear His voice, we can walk by faith, following Him into our future. While the future is unknown, we can have complete assurance that it is good. It may not always include the plans we have in our heart today, but as I continue to learn, His plans are always best. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
All Because of grace.
More grace-meeting friends from the blogging community at SheSpeaks
Courtney from Women Living Well
And Michelle Derusha from Graceful
Linking up with:
and Intentional.Me
How fun to see you there! I’m so glad you got together with Michelle. She’s one of my faves. So are ((you.))
You are so sweet! I had so much fun hanging out with her. She is honesty one of the nicest people I’ve ever known and so easy to be with:)
That is so sweet! What a great hubby you have!!!!
Simply God’s Girl
I know, isn’t he? Thanks for visiting!
Love! ” Each step we take, each challenge we endure, each and every moment of our journey in faith is purposed by God for our good.” Praise God for His goodness in our lives… Thank you for this reminder!
Yes, praise Him! And thanks for your sweet words:)
What beautiful gifts He has lavished upon you. What blessings! What courage
I saw when you won that give-away, and thought about you saying how you usually do not win. Now twice in just a few months. So awesome!
I know! And then I found out I won a book from another blog:) After a drought, it pours:) Thanks for stopping by!
Love this-hope you had a wonderful time!
Thanks, MIchy!
I wanted to come over here to see how it went for you at the conference. So glad you wrote this grace-laced update.
Love your words . . . all is because of grace.
Thanks, Kelli:) And what amazing grace it is!
Hi Christina! Thiis is my first time at your blog and will say your post truly touched me and reminds me that God is always near in the smallest thing. I look forward to visiting again! Blessings to you!
Popping over from Jennifer’s place. So nice to meet you.
That grace, the heaps and heaps of it-it’s something, isn’t it?
Oh, yes! Heaps and heaps:) Blessings to you!
This is awesome. I am stopping by from New Life Steward Blog Hop. I love your blog. Thats cool also you have met Courtney! I just recently discovered her site too and love it!
Thanks for stopping by! It’s fun to meet the people we only know from their blogs!
Oh, friend, I’m a blubbery mess over here! Oh how He pursues you….What love. What GRACE….
Hugs my friend! Can’t wait till that message is hanging proudly around your neck!
It’s grace that you were the conduit:) Thanks so much Nikki for allowing God to work through you!
I’m slowly realizing that absolutely everything in life is because of grace. It’s a humbling thought to take in for so many reasons.
Reading about you meeting fellow bloggers in real life has me giddy for Allume!
Thanks for linking up!
Mary Beth @newlifesteward
I had wanted to go to Allume but I am in a wedding in October:) Maybe next year. I know you will have a blast!
So glad for to see all the fun you gals had at She Speaks this year! I went in 2010 when I was as green as grass and brand new to the blogosphere. How I’d love to go again and meet y’all in person.
If I was wearing socks, you’d have blessed them off with this:
The pleasures I enjoy in life, the trials I endure, the discipline I undergo, and the very breath I breathe are all because of His grace.
Amen!
You are kind! I’ve never blessed anyone’s socks off before:) Blessings to you!
Oh Christina, I am so excited for you. I am so glad I visited today so I can be praying. I’ve been out of the blog world for a week. I CAN NOT wait to hear more. Blessings friend!
Thanks, Kari. I need your prayers and your sweet words. Thanks for visiting!
Oh, all because of grace - and such grace it is! And nothing is ever random - all Him working out everything exactly the way He knows is best. I hope you have a great time at your conference! Good luck!!!
It would have been a blessing to be with you and your friends and know all of you. Finally have met Michelle and Deidra and looking forward to many others that may land in my lap and my heart. Glad you had such a wonderful time.
I found you via a blog hop, or linky party and love your site. That was such a sweet thing your hubby did for you!