grace.

{one of the posts I wrote while we were in the Caymans!}

I am rocking in a hammock right now on the beach at the Caymans, watching the sunset.

it's times like these I am inspired by the beauty & majesty of my creator God

we met a couple today that is on their honeymoon.

they are staying at the same place as us and so today - we got to talking.

Bethany is just my type of friend - bubbly, outgoing, entertaining, always asking questions.

I love people who really want to get to know me because {I would like to think it's only} because I really love to get to know people.

I love hearing peoples stories.

I love the grace that comes with hearing a new friends story.

When you've known someone for so long, and you've watched their story unfold gradually through the years, you can sometimes lose sight of how powerful it is. You know where they've been and who they used to be, so sometimes it's hard to give them grace & really appreciate their story.

But when you meet a new friend, they don't know anything about your terrible past.

you can tell them your story, all the powerful things God has done in your life, and they can be in awe.

telling your story is powerful. not only to the one who you are telling but also for yourself. to remember all that God has done in and through your life. How much he's changed you, molded you, transformed you.

telling my story reminds me of Gods grace.

I once was lost, but now I'm found.

I am a daughter of the King.

not because of anything I did, but because what Jesus did.

I don't deserve the story God is writing for my life. I deserve death. That's where grace comes in.

I was looking over my notes from Together for Adoption and remembering how grace was a big theme for me.

revisiting grace. the gospel.

I think I grew up pretty legalistic and I'm still trying to break those chains.

being or doing good because of guilt & because of the law.

Instead I want to be transformed & motivated & fueled by grace.

one of the speakers said, "desperate people love grace"

did I always think I was "too good" for grace? like I didn't need it?

I want to be motivated by grace. motivated by the gospel. I want ONLY out of the overflow of my heart to love mercy, seek justice, defend the cause of the poor.

not because of the law and not because I feel like I should. just out of the overflow of what Christ has done for me!

Tullian said," gospel generates grace driven obedience. Law generates guilt driven obedience."

Grace.

What does grace mean to you?