I woke up at 3 a.m. this morning (not this exact morning ;)...this was written last March in the thick of quarantine) with a desire to pull away and study the subject of grace. A desire to get alone, uninterrupted, and dive into the scripture for myself, and just see where I'd end up. I've had times and seasons like this with God, don't get me wrong, but it's been a minute. I'm glad to be back; back to believing, back to trusting, back to hoping!
I want to shout it from the rooftops: "I'm Hoping Again!" But hope is one of those things you don't have to announce, and you can't fake it. It's seen in our eyes, in our smiles, and in our laughs. I love to laugh- it's my absolute favorite!
So, hope and grace...which one to google first? Grace was the word on my heart at 3 a.m., so we'll start there. (We won't be long because I need a nap before 7 a.m.!).
I snuck out of bed, trying so hard not to disturb Jay, because he has to "work work" tomorrow. Yes, I work but I don't pay the light bill, so that's why his is called "work work", and I try to help him get good rest because I only want to "work", not "work work", you get what I'm saying? (I actually really enjoy working- haha!)
In my trying not to disturb Jay so he can "work work" tomorrow, I quickly realized I didn't have my supplies for this 3 a.m. Bible study. I couldn't go to my "office", also known as "Brelyn's Bedroom" (my new work home during quarantine since her room has a built in desk). To get to her room I'd have to pass through the dining room where Blue, our ninety pound beautiful silver lab, lives. (Our horse in the dining room!) If you're wondering, we needed him like we needed a hole in the head. But, he's added a joy we've needed and has put a smile on the girls' faces that helps me not question our sanity too much.
But if I make too much noise, he'll wake up the whole house- and let's not do that! This is my Bible study time (3 a.m. is just for today...not the norm I don't think...) and I need that nap before 7 a.m., remember? So let's not go through the dining room and chance all that.
So, in rounding up my supplies, I found my Bible, my phone for music- no ear buds around so I'll have to turn the music really low and hold the speaker to my ear- and I can't wake up Blue or Nora, highest priority. Or Jay, because of the "work work".
So, I'm in the garage (this won't work later in June when it's hot, but for now, I'm in the garage at 3 a.m...Well, closer to 4 a.m. now). Rest assure, God sees this effort us moms make to carve out quiet time, which is why I'm sharing this with you. I hope you see you're not alone in having to get creative to be able to be with God while it's quiet. I also hope it makes you laugh, or at least chuckle. The joy of the Lord is our strength! But, I believe even though we have to get creative, God rewards us double! His sweet presence is everything, my heart's true desire.
So now in the garage, it's 4:08 a.m. Let's google grace. Praise God for google. I've said google a lot in my new "Not Permanent" role of teacher. "Please google that!" Jenna, my very studious eleven year old, thinks googling is cheating, but I've reassured her otherwise. Google was invented because God knew so many would suddenly have this new home school role (🙂 ), and because He takes the best care of us mamas like this. Google is our friend!
So it's 4:14 a.m. now. In googling "grace", Hebrews 4:16 come up, but let's define grace first (yes, I saved that tab and opened a new tab; Jay would be proud. He likes to see me being efficient because if you've kept up with this timeline, I started this Sneaky Bible Study at 3 a.m. and it's now 4:17 a.m., and I'm just getting good- I've enjoyed every minute, actually, so I'm okay with it, but we won't tell him!)
My google findings on grace:
- Grace has been defined as a divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptations. (I'll take all of that!)
- The Gospel message is the good news of God's grace, so it is important to know what grace is and to constantly seek to get a better view of what grace does in our lives. Not what we can do, but what grace can do!
- "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it." (Hebrews 4:16)
Thank you, Father, for your grace! I receive Your help today. Not my will, but yours be done. I pray if you read this far, you'll find time to seek Him today and receive his help.❤️
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