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It is not always easy to be kind, in fact it takes a conscious effort to be kind. I have seen several kindness calendars around for the month of February since that is the month of national kindness week. I thought it would be neat to do one kind deed each day leading up to Valentines Day. We as Christians are called to be the light of the world and one way we do that is by being kind. Would you join me in this two week challenge? I am excited to do this even if it means going out of my comfort zone. Let's meet back in two weeks and share what we did to live out Ephesians 4:32, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." In a world where we can be anything, let us be kind!!  My mom sat in the doctor's office waiting to hear the results of the pregnancy test she had taken. He entered and told her that while there was a hint of the pregnancy hormone in her body he did not believe her to be pregnant, and then he handed her a prescription. When she asked what it was for he told her that it would help her get back to normal. Feeling a bit concerned my mom sought a second opinion. The second doctor told her that she was indeed pregnant and that if she had taken the prescription she would have aborted me. I remember hearing that story for the first time and letting those words sink in. I would not be here if my mom had not sought a second opinion. She tells me she is so glad she did and says she could not imagine her life without me. I am grateful for a mom who did not take a pill but listened to that quiet voice within. I am also grateful to see so many young people taking a stand for life; individuals boldly speaking the truth about life. May we all have the boldness to continue to take a stand and share the amazing news that we are valuable because He made us in His image. I have been enjoying my Bible study on the women of the Bible, and there have been so many truths God has shown me, ones that I needed. I wanted to share one that was a blessing and encouragement to me. There is so much in the story of Eve that I can relate to, bad choices, attempts to fix my mistakes, and hiding from God because I fear that He is disappointed in me and would not want to know me. These elements are all found in Eve's story. As I read through the story again, I stumbled upon something interesting. When both Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden they immediately made themselves clothing out of fig leaves and hid when they heard the voice of God. While I have read this passage numerous times I never realized the persistence of God. He called for them and did not leave until they came out in the open. He knew where they were and why they were hidden but He refused to leave them there, He pursued them. I believe there were several reasons, one was that what had transpired needed to be dealt with and second He loved them too much to ignore them in their now sinful state. Though sin would now separate them from the presence of God, it could never separate them from His love. So many times I have disappointed God and felt ashamed of my actions which cause me to hide from Him. Yet in the midst of this withdraw from Him, my God actively pursues me, He wants me to come clean, like Adam and Eve had to do, so that He can offer me the forgiveness I need, a forgiveness that will restore me into fellowship with Him. Even with all of my scars, wounds and flaws God still pursues me because He loves me and cares about me too much to let me go. This was such an amazing truth for me, one that I needed to be reminded of, that my God loves me so much that He spends the time to pursue me so that He can restore me to Himself. I don't know about you but that brings a smile to my heart and joy to my soul. Even though Adam and Eve still had to face the consequences of their poor decision they were not sent away without hope. Someday God would send His son to earth, born of a virgin, so that all mankind could receive the forgiveness that restores them into the presence of God, a God who is actively pursuing His creation.  |
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Sarah GraceI am just an ordinary girl who is loved by an extraordinary God and I seek to love others the same way. I love to bake, read, do puzzles, watch Hallmark movies, and go shopping with my mom! This blog was created as a place where I could share some thoughts that the Lord has shown me and to be an encouragement to others who desire to know Him in a deeper way. My prayer is to learn to sit still and trust God with my future. Archives
July 2023
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