Tag: thankful

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #406

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Tree Winter photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a fun week full of God’s grace!

Perhaps the biggest “excitement” of the week included a little rock hitting my car on the highway. A few minutes later, I was at a stop light near work and heard a pop as a crack developed across the lower part of my windshield. I called a car repair place and was able to swing by on my lunch break to get a quote. Hopefully, it will be fixed next week!

Later that day, I drove an hour to Pelican Rapids and back again, thankful God protected me and my windshield held up! I went to see a Veteran in a medical foster home, which means he lives with a local family and we go see him there. It was a gorgeous day, and I drove along a scenic byway full of rolling hills covered with a light dusting of snow.

This week, I had a lot of routine health appointments! I celebrated my five-year Lasik anniversary, and my eye doctor said I am doing great! My chiropractor was happy with my back, too. It only needed a few minor adjustments! Lydia and I also had dentist appointments, and everything looks great! I’m grateful for good health!

Today, Lydia and I went to the movie theater for “Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night.” We enjoyed the new presentation and songs. Who doesn’t love Andrea Bocelli?! I was a little tearful at various points, just so grateful for Jesus coming to rescue us from the darkness of sin!

Later, we each got haircuts. I got a trim, but Lydia took of three inches! But, before that, we went to the mall and walked around to kill some time. We loved the bright lights and didn’t even mind the crowd. It felt like a party!

Tonight, we are finally decorating our Christmas tree and doing other holiday activities. It is good to be home after a busy week!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Worship

Jaw Dropping Truth

For this Advent season, Lydia and I have been preparing our hearts in a few ways. In the morning, we are reading from Max Lucado’s book, In the Manger. It contains excerpts from his other books and many deep points spelled out simply.

In the evening, we read a Chapter of Luke’s gospel and then discuss anything that comes to mind. We also have a couple of Advent calendars. One is Peanuts-themed, and one has chocolate.

One morning, we started reading the Max Lucado book during breakfast. I paused to make sure Lydia understood. I asked her if she knew that Mary was a young teenager, and to my surprise, Lydia’s jaw dropped! She was flabbergasted! So much so that I had to ask her to shut her mouth so the oatmeal wouldn’t fall out.

Free Blueberries Oats photo and picture

Lydia mentioned that Mary could have been a student at her school (age-wise). “I’ve babysat for little kids, but I can’t imagine if it was my baby!” I think she has a newfound respect for the story of Baby Jesus!

Then, this became a funny conversation about puberty and how Mary might have felt. We agreed she must have been open-minded, trustworthy, and kindhearted to sacrifice her body and desires without knowing all the details.

Soon, the discussion moved to how Mary’s life differed from ours. She would not have had access to television, the internet, or social media. She couldn’t let toddler Jesus watch PBS Kids when she needed a break. She didn’t have a cell phone, Facetime, or texting. So, perhaps that helped shield her from some comments, but in a small town, people talk.

Mary was likely shunned with little support at first. Maybe that’s one reason she visited her Cousin Elizabeth. Thankfully, God protected her when He prompted Joseph to stand by Mary. They must have been a special pair!

Free Oatmeal Porridge photo and picture

God must’ve known what He was doing when He created Mary and Joseph. Whatever their personalities and strengths, He entrusted them with Jesus. It was up to them to accept it, but God knew what He was doing!

You, know God has each of our lives planned out, too. Our personalities, strengths, passions, and even weaknesses are no surprise to Him. They are part of our special purpose. God has envisioned each of our days before even one of them comes to pass. He even knows all the words I will write well before I even have a blog topic in mind! #mindblown

So, we can trust God will prepare our path and make sure we are on it. What joy it must bring Him when we walk where He leads! May we keep an open mind and heart when God shows up in exciting ways and sets an opportunity before us.

Even today, we can invite Jesus into our day. Ask Him to reign in your heart and see what He does! But, maybe close your mouth before your food falls out. 🙂

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God, You are so wise and patient with us! You always have good plans in store. May we trust You enough to say YES to the life You have designed for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is God asking you to do for Him? It could be big and exciting, or small and mundane. Each situation can be a gift to Him when we have a good attitude.

Task: If you feel unqualified for something God calls you to do, take a deep breath before getting started. Chances are, that’s a sign you are on the right track! If you knew all the answers, you wouldn’t need to trust God! He designed us to depend on Him!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #405

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Trees Woods photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was another great week! My sister and dad both had birthdays this week, so it was fun calling and encouraging them. I’m grateful for such a wonderful family!

Once again, work was very busy but good. Somehow, I was able to stay caught up and even work ahead a little bit for the coming week. I did go out to see one Veteran at a nursing home. The change of pace was fun. I also had a few random problems pop up but was able to solve them for my Veterans. All’s well that ends well!

Today, it snowed a little, but this is the first snow we’ve had in quite a while. The entire week was gorgeous and made the twenty minute drive to work so nice. A couple inches of snow on a Saturday at home is no big deal!

We didn’t have big plans this weekend, so we made the most of our time around the house. We went through some old clothing, socks, and shoes. We also cleared out a shelf, bookcase, and some old papers. It felt amazing to set aside some things for donations and toss the rest. We still have a few things to go through, but getting rid of physical clutter helps with mental clutter, too!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom

All About The Box

Oh, the fun and joy of a big box! We received two big boxes last week with some basic household supplies. Immediately, Lydia wanted to get into one of the boxes and pop out of it! Her laughter was contagious!

Then, at dinner, we discussed the day, that is, work and middle school. Lydia questioned why God lets some people “get away with” something and how He prompts others to apologize or forgive. We had a good conversation about God’s plan and expectations for His children vs. those who don’t follow Him yet (their choice). We also discussed the differences between the Old and New Testaments, and how Jesus’ death and blood set up a new system for dealing with sin. It’s a free gift, but not to be taken lightly!

Then, I decided to use the boxes to help me show Lydia a concept about God. I used one big box and a smaller one from the garage to create a visual.

I told Lydia, “Pretend I am God, and this big box is the universe I created. Then, this little box is Earth. See the LEGO people and animals! While God is outside our understanding of time and space, He’s also here with us. So, no one really gets away with anything. His judgments are right and just because He can see everything and knows our hearts.”

I went on, “Someday, every person will have to give an account for their words and actions. Sure, He could just reach down and deal with everything instantly, and someday He will. But right now, He is so patient with us (2 Peter 3:9)!”

(We can fool others and ourselves, but we can’t fool God!)

God can interact with each of us personally. Like a LEGO set, He can move people, mountains, and circumstances any way He wants. But He also responds to prayer and requests for help.

I imagine God leaning in to look for those who try to please Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). There’s probably a lot of joy mixed with sorrow. May we be found faithful!

Being human, we often lose sight of what is happening in the world. Our little corner of the box has its own issues! But, it helps me to remember this visual because I can more easily see my problems in light of Who God is and how big and powerful He is.

God is all-in and ‘all about the box’ because it contains His most precious creation(s). Us!

This box visual also helps me trust God when there are things I don’t understand. Like when Dave got cancer and died. (Check out my book for more details.) But, God knows what we don’t and sees what we cannot. I don’t have to have all the answers to walk by faith.

Moreover, Jesus humbled Himself and got in the tiny little box so He could truly understand what we go through and rescue us. He is Emmanuel – God with us. Therefore, we are not alone and without hope.

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God, You are greater than anything we can imagine. Your mercy and grace have no limits. Thank You for being so kind and compassionate toward us. Thank You for Jesus! In His Name, Amen

Questions: Are there any household objects or tools that make you think of God and who He is? How would you explain God’s love to a child?

Tasks: Put together your own visual for how you perceive God. Then, share it here or with someone in your own life (corner of the box).

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Pivot

Finding Grace #404

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Coffee Latte photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a pretty good week!

Work was hopping, that is… good but busy! I had some interesting patients and some fun conversations. I heard that one of my patients died, which is always sad. I also tackled several patient issues that popped up while covering for other people. It was one of those weeks where I felt I was making a difference!

The weather has been amazing this week. We had a tiny bit of snow on Monday but it melted the next day or so. It was in the 40s and felt like spring! Winter is on the way, but this reprieve has been so welcome!

On Thursday, I saw the sunrise on my way to work and the sun set on my drive home! We also attempted to see the predicted aurora borealis by waking up in the middle of the night to check a live stream in Grand Forks, but it wasn’t as exciting as we had hoped, so instead of driving out of town a few miles, we went back to bed.

Lydia is dealing with a POTS flare-up today with several of her usual symptoms. She had hoped to spend time with a friend or two, but instead, we are just taking it easy so she can rest. I am catching up on quiet activities, like paying bills, comparing new health/dental/vision plans, and planning ahead for the new year, which is less than a month away!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Not So Average

Recently, I had the chance to learn a little about one of my Veterans. I have met with him before, but we had a little more time to chat this time. He was seriously the most average-looking man. That’s not a diss; there was just nothing remarkable about his appearance to distinguish him from anyone else. I would never have imagined he had a fantastic story about his experience in the service!

He was an engineering student who ended up in the Navy. He spent time on submarines fixing some of the electrical panels and went all over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans! He was on the USS Yorktown (CV-10). This ship was named after the one that sank in Pearl Harbor.

This man was in charge of temperature-controlled areas on the ship, including the refrigeration deck and the part where they held nuclear weapons with several layers of security and codes. He said he was sometimes afraid, but he learned to stay calm!

Yes, he had nuclear clearance (!!) during the height of the Cold War, and he finds it a little perplexing (or irritating) when people treat him like an old man…

“Excuse me, Sir, do you know where you’re going? or “Sir, can I see your driver’s license?”

Free Ship Yorktown photo and picture

In 1968, this Veteran met the astronauts from Apollo 8 and was the one who lifted the space capsule out of the ocean with a crane and put it on the ship. He said they practiced for weeks to get it just right. Then, he showed me a picture of him in his uniform with the Apollo 8 command module, and so I had to research it!

After leaving the Navy, he returned home and finished his degree. He had a long career and is grateful to have raised a family. He took advantage of the opportunities that came his way and trusted God. In short, he was far from average!

The conversation I had with this Veteran was eye-opening. He really did look so average, yet he had so many adventures! I’m sure many of my Veterans are similar. And, I wonder how many times we do that to others. We assume we know all we need and overlook their gifts or what makes them special.

I was encouraged because sometimes it is easy to swirl in a cycle of being too busy, not busy enough, or feeling anonymous. I was challenged to keep moving forward and keep trusting God’s plan! He knows who we are and where we are. He has not forgotten us!

Free Space Travel Apollo photo and picture

On the surface, Jesus would have looked relatively average. He was born in a filthy stable to a poor family. His humble beginning certainly would not have set him apart in any way. He would have appeared basic at best. 

Sure, Jesus had some important highlights, but he was often misunderstood. His family, followers, and even his enemies did not fully grasp what He was all about.  For instance, he was both praised and chided for healing people and doing other miracles.

He was betrayed by two of his followers (Judas and Peter) and abandoned by the rest. He died a criminal’s death, which would have made him an outcast. Yet, He offered love and forgiveness until His very last breath.

I am so grateful Jesus had grace and grit. He dug deep and obeyed His Father. He did not give up when circumstances got tough. He did not back down or give in to the pressure. He was crushed with the weight of our sin, but He rose three days later in Victory!

So, don’t overlook the mundane if you feel blah, meh, or average today. With God, you are anything but! As we see in Hebrews 11, He can use the most random event or the most unlikely person to accomplish His purposes! So, trust God and step out in faith!

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God, thanks for not doing anything halfway or average. You are subtle sometimes, but You are never dull or status-quo! Help me be diligent in the daily grind, but also expect You to show up and do something amazing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you ever discount yourself or others? How might you turn that around, to see yourself or others from God’s perspective?

Tasks: Think back on some of your greatest adventures. Praise God for the work He continues to do in your life! You never know what’s around the corner. Be on the lookout for God-given opportunities and be quick to obey so you don’t miss out on something great!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #403

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a fun week with so much packed in that it seemed longer than usual! 🙂

On Monday, I went to visit two Veterans in long-term care facilities. One of the places, I used to fill in when I worked on-call as a dietitian (one of my first Fargo jobs). It’s been about eleven years since I was there, and it brought back some good memories. 

Tuesday was Lydia’s birthday, so we spent the evening celebrating. We ordered some burgers and fries from Five Guys, then went home to watch Elf and open presents. She received several gifts in the mail, so she had about four days of birthday fun!

For Thanksgiving, we stayed home and put our own spin on some of our favorites. We made potatoes, cranberry sauce, and turkey meatballs. Lydia put together some fancy drinks, and then we enjoyed some pumpkin pie. It was a relaxing day together, and we enjoyed watching a movie and playing a game, too!

I also heard from my African friends on Thursday. They reminded me that last year, I introduced them to pumpkin pie. They thanked me for being their guide when they first came to Faro. It was so cool they thought of me and called to say that!

Today, some of Lydia’s friends from school came over for a little party. They did some painting and had some treats. Lydia had fun opening presents, I enjoyed all the laughter!

The weather was great again this week! It is getting chilly, but every day or week without snow makes me feel like winter might not last so long. I’m sure it will be here soon, though!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous

Garage Door Tune-Up

Happy Thanksgiving! This has been a busy week already! Maybe you feel the same way?!

On Monday morning, I made a list of everything I needed to do after coming home from work. I felt a little overwhelmed, mostly because I didn’t want to forget anything! I prayed for God’s help as I went about my day!

First, I needed to finish wrapping some presents for Lydia’s birthday (on Tuesday). I also wanted to work on this post early so I could focus on her special day. She wanted to enjoy a nice meal and watch a movie. I didn’t want her to feel rushed.

And, of course, it happens to be a holiday week! Lydia and I plan to make a few simple dishes tomorrow. I’m looking forward to a fun day together, but there’s a lot to do before then.

Finally, about a month ago, I wrote that my garage door needed a rubber weather stripping replaced (see picture below). The special order piece took a while to arrive, and on Monday evening, my neighbor came over to help me install it! He works for a garage door company, so together, we were able to install it quickly.

As we tested the door, my neighbor saw a sliver of light shining through, which meant the door was not coming down all the way. I had noticed this over the last month but had forgotten to mention it earlier. My neighbor climbed his small ladder and opened the garage door motor. I handed him a few small tools, and he adjusted the mechanism until the door shut correctly.

By then, he offered to change the lightbulb in the garage motor unit. While up there, he noticed the garage door chain was a little loose. So, naturally, he wanted to tighten that up!

I was so grateful as I watched my neighbor tune-up my garage door. Not only did he help with the original issue, but he was thorough in looking at the entire door. He didn’t stop just when it was convenient. He stayed and did a complete job.

Surprisingly, it feels like I have a new garage door! I can already tell the garage is warmer and quieter, and this year, I should avoid getting snow under my garage door.

That reminds me of God’s grace and provision. I had been waiting patiently for weeks, rescheduling a few times because the piece wasn’t in. I had hoped the chore would be done earlier so I wouldn’t be jammed as this week got closer. I specifically tried to plan ahead! Yet, it seems God used this very thing to slow me down and notice His blessings in a big way.

First, I really appreciated God gave me a good blog topic a whole day early! It was so cool that He perfectly orchestrated my week. God is so gracious and fixed my door, but He also went above and beyond by addressing things I didn’t even know were wrong!

And because of all that, I was able to be fully present with Lydia on her birthday. She is now twelve and was counting down her birthday for months. Lydia is such a treasure to me, and I didn’t want to be distracted by house tasks or my blog. As a single mom, my time is sometimes divided, and I never want to give her less than she deserves!

While these things are important to me, my sweet girl comes first! Lydia would not quite understand my potential dilemma, so I didn’t burden her with it. I’m just grateful I didn’t have to choose – God made it easy for me!

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God, thanks for organizing my week so I can get things done and be fully present. Thanks for the gift of Lydia. Help me be the best mom I can be! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have any special plans for Thanksgiving? What are you grateful for this week?

Tasks: Let God direct your path this week. Be grateful for detours and setbacks, as they may lead to a greater blessing!

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Prayer

Finding Grace #402

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Stonecrop Sedum photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was another great week, and I took part in several impactful conversations! A dear friend asked for special prayer for her family, and I was glad she got some answers this week. I have not heard the updates yet, but will keep praying for her.

Early in the week, I checked in with a few ladies who are leading small groups at church. I have been a designated prayer partner for them and am helping them navigate any issues that arise. We had a few random problems to solve this week, and I was glad God could use me behind the scenes.

On Wednesday, I had a great time discussing general church topics with a friend at Alpha. It was so fun to hear her perspective and learn about her faith background. She is thinking about being baptized soon, and I have been encouraging her!

At work, I took on some new (temporary) responsibilities I will be doing during the two maternity leaves. So far, one lady is out of the office and one should be going any day. I wanted to jump right in, so I set up a couple of home visits for next week. Should be interesting!

Today, I had coffee with a friend, and we discussed her desire to write a book! She wanted to know where to start and what to expect, so we talked through some ideas and I filled her in on the writing process. Her husband used to work with Dave, so it was really great to catch up.

The weather was gorgeous and fairly warm (50s) for this time of year. It was near perfect, and I made sure not to take it for granted. Tonight, I finally finished cutting back the sedum in the front yard flower garden. Now, it is ready for winter (though I am hoping it holds off a little longer!).

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom, Worship

Out Of Darkness

Earlier in the week, I listened to an amazing interview that I keep reviewing in my mind. The person interviewed was Kat Von D, of Miami Ink and LA Ink fame. Back then, she was a mouthy drug addict and alcoholic. She reports she was miserable and hopeless, living in darkness. Yet, she still showed compassion toward her tattoo clients when they shared their purposes for getting inked (usually memorials related to grief and loss).

Recently, she received publicity for being baptized… in a small Baptist Church in Indiana. I saw the video and was glad for her. I viewed it as a testament to God’s grace and mercy. Sadly, many people questioned her authenticity – though she has been followed by cameras for over twenty years. She wanted to record it for herself and as a public statement of her new life in Jesus.

To me, Kat Von D came across as well-thought-out and sincere. Coming to Christ was not on a whim or only based on emotion. She looked at all the evidence of Christianity and made her decision. She even explained why she chose to attend a Baptist church. Basically, they accepted her immediately. Her pastor is a great teacher, and she is growing so much in her Tuesday Bible study with the older ladies. (I LOVE THAT.) The old hymns are simple yet profound, unlike going to what feels like a Sunday worship ‘concert’ where she is distracted as a songwriter. That makes sense to me!

Free Tattoo Hand photo and picture

It is to be expected that some of her old crowd would be upset, but even more awful has been the comments she has received from Christians telling her she’s not doing it right (of all people!). Let this be a lesson to all of us… it is damaging to turn people off before they ever meet Jesus!

Ms. Von D talked about how she was raised in a Christian missionary home but rebelled when her parents didn’t answer her doubts adequately. By age 14, she was on the streets and making poor choices. Still, she did not blame her parents and later said she was grateful to have that background because she remembered the Bible stories she learned as a child when she was at her lowest point in life. Praise God!

Eventually, she started to question if her life choices were on the path she wanted to be. She got sober and clean, and tossed her books about the occult. She sought Truth and found Jesus during the COVID-19 pandemic. She wanted to set a good example for her child, but she also wanted peace and found hope and new life in Jesus.

Later, Kat Von D shared how Jesus makes her a much better wife and mother. She said people would not believe how much she has changed, but it has been dramatic. She also explained how famous friends like Alice Cooper have helped her understand how to balance her personal faith and public persona. (Can you even imagine?!)

Each person who becomes a Christian undergoes a sanctification process, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Kat Von D is now a beloved sister in Christ, and it will be interesting to see how she changes over time. I may not agree with everything she does, but I would love to meet her for coffee! Either way, she has a big platform, and balancing everything in the public eye cannot be easy. She needs our prayers, not our criticism.

No one is perfect or gets it right all the time. We all struggle, but God created each of us to be unique according to His purposes. Who am I to say Kat Von D has to look like me or listen to the same music as me? I doubt she will change her mostly black goth look anytime soon. And, if God ever prompts her to change, that will be between Him and her. We are each accountable to Him first and foremost. (But, for now, I think she is beautiful!)

I was tearing up at various points in the interview. It was refreshing to get a snapshot of many topics, each one pertinent and practical for today. The interview was about Kat Von D being transferred out of darkness, but she and the host kept their focus on Jesus.

I’m grateful to serve a good and gracious God. No one is beyond His mercy and love. Thank You, Lord!

The kindness of God leads us to repentance (see Romans 2:4). Today, do not harden your heart towards Jesus, but come to Him with all your questions. He is so patient with you (2 Peter 3:9), but He will not wait forever. All Truth is His, and He will never lead you into confusion. Instead, He has the power and desire to set you free indeed!

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God, You are so wonderful! I’m in awe of how much You love us and how much You pursue us. Thanks for not giving up on me. Please guide us and make us more like Jesus. In His Name, Amen

Questions: What do you think about Kat Von D’s faith journey? Do you have any tattoos or plan to get any? What does/would it look like? (I don’t have any!)

Tasks: Listen to the interview here. I also posted it on my Grace and Lemonade Facebook site earlier this week!