Grow Us in Grace

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)

When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! – (2 Corinthians 5:17, ERV)

Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new creation. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new. – (2 Corinthians 5:17, TPT)

For the last few years, I have taken time to seek God and ask Him for a word for the coming year. Last year, the word that was placed on my heart was “new”. Though the “new” that we all experienced was nothing like any of us might have imagined, there certainly was a recurring category of “new”. We entered a new season as the world shut down and life as we knew it changed. In the midst of it all, much new had to be learned. For me, a brand new way of doing my job accompanied the new season of the twins graduating from high school, and the addition of two new fur babies to our family. Though there has been struggle with the new, God’s grace was all the more. It seems that we each have the opportunity to become new as we navigate the challenges that come our way. Each obstacle provides room for us to seek the Lord and pursue the new He is growing in us as we are faithful to continue looking forward to all that lies before us. This process of becoming “new”, has brought me to the word that God has given me for 2021. The word that kept crashing around in my heart and mind is “grace”. In order to continue to move forward in all that I have been called, His grace will be required. There needs to be an ongoing growth in grace – both in the giving and receiving of “the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.” (dictionary.com definition of grace) I don’t know about you, but I will absolutely welcome the freely given favor and love of God, and know that I am called to do the same for those around me. Grace is a gift; not something that needs to be earned. May we actively seek to both give and receive the grace of God, so that we may ever grow in grace and love, according to God’s good and perfect will.

May we grow in grace,

As He makes us new;

Receive all He gives,

So we might give too.

To grow in goodness,

We need know His ways;

Make willing our hearts,

To trust God always.

Though sometimes the new,

Is not what we dreamed;

His grace is enough,

To make all redeemed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You make all things new and You grow us in Your lavish grace. Forgive us for our resistance to the new and our stubbornness that neglects to give and receive the grace You intended. Teach us how to grow in grace so that we may love as You call us to love. Lead us to love others in ways that are full of Your goodness and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace the grace that You are growing in us to navigate this new year. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever! Amen. – 2 Peter 3:18

The New is Here

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)

When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! – (2 Corinthians 5:17, ERV)

Therefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone – and see – a new life has begun! – (2 Corinthians 5:17, VOICE)

 

Today is the beginning of a new day, a new month, a new year, and a new decade! Seldom do we have similar spaces of new. Incredibly, when we are in Christ, we are made new every morning as we depend on Him. The more we choose to lean in and listen to His leading, the more He shapes us into who we were created to become. God is ever making us new. Daily, we have new opportunities to allow Him to write the pages of our story. He takes the ashes of the past and turns them into something new and beautiful and helpful to those around us; if we are willing. Our age, occupation, marital status, and the like, matter not when it comes to what Christ can do to bring the new. He grants fresh starts, new life, more hope, extra strength and increased tenacity to traverse into the new to which He calls us into. May we find the courage to let go of the past and press forward in faith, allowing God to make all things new – both within us and through us.

Yesterday provided a glimpse into the new that God can do for Mom. For the first time since her stroke, Mom was able to actually shop for clothes and things that she might enjoy. It may seem insignificant, but for her, it was a joy and a sort of return to something that felt normal. We went to Fred Meyer and determined to give the motorized carts a try. There were many giggles and was much joy as mom figured out how to drive the scooter and navigate her way through the store. It may have been a bit of a comedy act as I rolled clothing racks around to make way for Mama Andretti, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and she found a few items that she will very much enjoy wearing. The cane is now her only aid used for walking, and she is one motivated lady! God is doing a new thing in her, as her strength and resolve continue to leave me in awe. I cannot wait to see what God does in the coming year for Mom, as she continues to gain strength and mobility, ever working toward reclaiming her independence.

 

May the things of old,

Be given to God;

For He will make new,

In love, He responds.

The Lord brings beauty,

From ashes, despair;

Brings hope where there’s none,

He’s always aware.

Watch in the waiting,

Trust and you will see;

God making all new,

Possibilities.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we come to You and trust in You, You are ever making us new. Thank You that You are always moving on our behalf, bringing forth the new for us to walk forward. Thank You that Your presence is unending and Your love never fails. Forgive us for our fears and doubts. Teach us to trust in the new that You are doing both in us and for us; for You are always good. Show us how to love those around us well, so that we can contribute to the new that You intend in their lives too. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love You and praise You for the new that You are bringing forth in the coming year. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

For Beautiful New

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – (Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV)

So don’t remember what happened in earlier times. Don’t think about what happened a long time ago, because I am doing something new! Now you will grow like a new plant. Surely you know this is true. I will even make a road in the desert and rivers will flow through that dry land. – (Isaiah 43:18-19, ERV)

Eternal One: Don’t revel only in the past, or spend all your time recounting the victories of days gone by. Watch closely: I am preparing something new; it’s happening now, even as I speak, and you’re about to see it. I am preparing a way through the desert; Waters will flow where there has been none. – (Isaiah 43:18-19, VOICE)

 

I am not big on resolutions nor bandwagon ideas for the coming year. However, as I sat down to prepare to do my devotions this morning, I pondered the overarching word that could capture the heart of this past year. Right away, the word that came to mind was hope. Hope has been the anchor for my soul through some seriously stormy seas that I never thought I’d need to navigate. God’s grace has been abundant, and His hope – overwhelmingly present. Looking forward, I paused, for only a moment, and prayed, asking what word might be one to look for in the coming year. Right away, the word “new” came to mind. For most, I know that new would make sense for a new year, but as a teacher, the new year falls only halfway through the school year, so it really never feels “new”. It is simply a return, rested and recharged for part two. That being said, as I opened my Bible app to go to the day’s reading, and immediately I was greeted by the verses listed above. I do not think that the verse and the word that came to mind and heart are a coincidence. God is doing something new, and I am going to eagerly anticipate all that awaits in the new year. Growth is always good, and possible where things seem impossible – excellent! May we ever watch closely and take notice, for God is doing new things – making a way where there seems no way, and providing beyond what we thought possible.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of accompanying Mom to her therapy appointments. It was incredible to watch all of the “new” that she is doing in occupational, speech and physical therapies. Additionally, Saturday morning, Mom determined to try out her new cane, rather than her walker. Since then, she has not looked back, and is now only using the cane to walk! That includes going out for appointments, quick errands, and even when we went out to dinner last evening. God continues to do the “new” in Mom, and we are anticipating an incredible year ahead for her as well.

 

Behold, there is new,

That is yet to come;

God’s making a way,

He’s only begun.

Where impossible,

Was how it all seemed;

God’s making the way,

Realizing dreams.

We know not the way,

He’s working for us;

But He’s full of love,

And faithful to bless.

So, rise up in trust,

Have faith His word’s true;

God’s making a way,

For beautiful new.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are good and faithful and full of love. Thank You that You make a way where there seems to be no way, and grow us beyond what we ever imagined possible. Thank You that You are always doing something new on our behalf. Forgive us for our fears and doubts that question the possibility of anything more than where we are right now. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would view life through Your lens rather than our own. Show us how to love those around us in ways that support, encourage, and strengthen all whom we meet with reason to believe there is more in store. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You in all the new that is yet to come in 2020. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. – Ezekiel 11:19

Watching in Wonder

My favorite New Year’s Eve tradition is attending our New Year’s Eve drop-in service.  It is not like a typical church service.  Rather, it is a time to reflect, anticipate, and allow Him to speak, while hearts are quiet and ready to listen.  The first thing to do upon entry, is grab an envelope, blank piece of paper and a pen.  Our charge is to write down our reflections about where we have been, and where we hope to go with God, in the coming year.  There is a bit more to it than that, but that is the gist.  Our pastoral staff then holds our self-addressed, sealed letters, and mails them back to us around Easter.  It is truly remarkable to be reminded again of what He has done, and to observe what has come of the new year, thus far.  After writing and sealing our note to self, we go forward to a pair that is prepared to pray for us.  They wait on Him, and share what the Lord places on their hearts.

As I read the first two chapters of Genesis this morning, what stood out to me, is that after each new thing that God created and called into being, it is followed by the sentence: “And God saw that it was good.”  God saw that every single thing that He formed and gave life and breath to, was good.  We are His created.  He sees us, and calls us good – not because of our behavior, but rather because we are His creation.  He loves us with an everlasting love.  The very same God who saw that all He had created was good, moves mountains and does the miraculous still today.  One of the words that was given to me last evening, was to “look for the miraculous; not necessarily even where I’ve been asking, but to watch for unexpected miracles.”  For me, this is a reminder to be full of hope and anticipation, for God is indeed, good.  The miraculous takes places all around us every day, but so often it goes unnoticed.  I want to embrace this new year with my head up, eyes open, and my heart ready to receive all that He has prepared for me.

With head held high,

eyes ready to see;

all that He has,

miracles for me.

Peace in places,

it’s rarely been found;

silent stillness,

to hear heaven’s sound.

What will await,

in this coming year?

Courage to fight,

in the face of fear?

I look ahead,

with heart open wide;

may I receive,

more of You inside.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful and kind, and that You love us with an everlasting love.  Thank You that when we call on You, You answer, and that You have good things for Your created, whom You love.  Forgive us for being unaware of how mighty You are all around us, and may we be ever aware of the unexpected miracles that are taking place.  Help us to embrace Your goodness and grace, so that we may love others, as You love us.  May many come to know new life in You.  Let Your light shine bright through us, before all.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.