Press On With Purpose

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. – (Philippians 3:12, NIV)

I don’t mean that I am exactly what God want me to be. I have not yet reached that goal. But I continue trying to reach it and make it mine. That’s what Christ Jesus wants me to do. It is the reason He made me His. – (Philippians 3:12, ERV)

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have made it. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. – (Philippians 3:12, MSG)

When we come into a relationship with Christ, we are compelled to draw near to God and to seek Him to transform us to more clearly reflect His heart to the world. Because Jesus loves me so well, my hope is that I can love those around me in the same way. That being said, I am far from doing this completely and consistently like Him. My frustrations often get the better of me, and my thoughts toward those who are rude, mean, or disrespectful, are far from loving. Thankfully, each day is new and we are provided the opportunity to seek the Lord and allow Him to lead us throughout all of our encounters. As a middle school teacher, I am provided plenty of practice at choosing to love and see others through His lens. Some days, I can feel the progress that He is making in me, yet other days, I want to walk away from peopling, for my patience with poor choices diminishes. We are all a work in progress and I am so thankful that He loved me first and shows me again and again how great His love truly is. May we ever seek the Lord to show us and grow us in His loving kindness and grace, and allow Him to transform us from the inside out.

O Lord, You’ve shown us,

Your kindness and grace;

despite our failures,

You welcome, embrace.

Your love overflows,

as we choose to seek;

Your goodness made clear,

each day of the week.

Our purpose is plain,

You show us the way;

to love as You love,

throughout each new day.

Ever we fall short,

yet we can press on;

Your love won’t run out,

and grace makes us strong.

Strong to keep trying,

pursuing Your best;

loving as You love,

in You we are blessed.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love us and call us to do the same. Thank You that we are a work in progress and that each day is made new. Thank You that You do not give up on us when we fall short. Forgive us for each time that we do not love as You intended. Teach us to seek You and pursue Your very best. Lead us in Your love so that we might love others as You love us. Show us how to press on with purpose, for Your purposes for us are to love well in all that we say and do. Help us to love those around us in ways that make Your heart known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we pursue You and Your purposes for us in all things and at all times. Amen.

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

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. – Psalm 27:4

God is… (Day 3 – My Ransom)

In continuing with the unpacking of who God is to me, today my focus is on God as my Ransom. Though I fall short and succumb to sin again and again, Jesus is my Ransom, the One who bore the weight of all of my sin and shame and made the way for me to be whole, accepted, and loved by God as He views me through the lens of His one and only Son, who was without sin.

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. – (Matthew 20:28, NIV)

Do as I did: The Son of Man did not come for people to serve Him. He came to serve others and to give His life to save many people. – (Matthew 20:28, ERV)

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as the ransom for many. – (Matthew 20:28, VOICE)

As a point of curiosity, I looked up the formal definition of ransom. According to dictionary.com, a ransom is a payment demanded or paid for the release of a prisoner. That is an excellent description of what Jesus has done and will do for all who place their trust in Him. We all are prisoners to our own sin and shame until Jesus enters in. On the cross, He bore it all so that we could be set free from the weight of our own thoughts, words and actions that are deserving of destruction. He made the way where there was no way, and He welcomes us into His presence, provision, protection, and perfect love when we choose to place our life in His hands. His sacrifice, though He had never sinned, covered over every wrong that I have ever and will ever do. It is beyond comprehension, yet I am forever grateful that Jesus freely chose to be my Ransom so that I might know life in Him. May we ever thank and praise the Lord for His overwhelming love, for it was His love that held Him to that cross so that we could each be set free.

Jesus, my Ransom,

the One who redeemed;

set free from my sin,

that’s what freedom means.

Not stuck by the weight,

of all of my wrongs;

covered by His grace,

throughout my life long.

In Him, I am free,

to live and to love;

embraced by His arms,

all hope from above.

The price has been paid,

His life for my own;

the way has been made,

my heart is His home.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are my Ransom. Thank You, Jesus, that You gave Your life for mine. Thank You that in You, I am forgiven and free and equipped to love. Forgive me for every word, thought and deed that has not aligned with Yours. Teach me to listen to Your leading and trust in You in all things, so that I might become more like You. Show me how to love as You love, so that those around me may come into a deeper understanding of who You are and how You love us so much that You ransomed Your life for ours. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise and thank You again and again for being our Ransom so that we know freedom, life, and love in You. Amen.

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

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. – Hebrews 9:15

A Work in Progress

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. – (Philippians 3:12, NIV)

I don’t mean that I am exactly what God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal. But I continue trying to reach it and make it mine. That’s what Christ Jesus wants me to do. It is the reason He made me His. – (Philippians 3:12, ERV)

I’m not there yet, nor have I become perfect; but I am charging on to gain anything and everything the Anointed One, Jesus, has in store for me – and nothing will stand in my way because He has grabbed me and won’t let me go. – (Philippians 3:12, VOICE)

Paul, one of the most faithful followers of Christ found in the Bible, still recognized the need to press on in the pursuit of that for which he had been called. Not one of us “arrives”, but rather we are all a work in progress. When we place our trust and hope in Jesus, He leads us and guides us, corrects and refines us, so that we may more clearly reflect His heart to the world. Each day we live we have the opportunity to learn and grow. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love and give Him room to refine us to represent Him well to the world around us.

The only perfect,

in this life’s pursuit;

is the Lord Jesus,

and His love that’s truth.

For as we seek Him,

He makes His heart known;

transforms the willing,

and calls us His own.

This is a process,

throughout our lifetime;

learning and growing,

as He calls us “Mine”.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we are all a work in progress, yet when we pursue You with our whole heart, You hold us in Your capable hands. Thank You that we can always learn and grow. Forgive us for the times that we ignore the correction or direction You give. Teach us to listen and respond swiftly, and to ever pursue You to show us all that is good. Show us how to love those around us in ways that most clearly reflect Your heart for the world. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give our hearts and lives to You to grow and transform us to more tangibly show Your love to those around us. Amen.

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

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

To Do What is Right

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. – (Proverbs 21:3, NIV)

Do what is right and fair. The Lord loves that more than sacrifices. – (Proverbs 21:3, ERV)

Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors means far more to God than religious performance. – (Proverbs 21:3, MSG)

Our attitudes and actions in all that we do are what matter most to God. How we treat people is a direct demonstration of our love for Him and all that His hands have made. Love is made known to others when our choices in word and deed are guided by truth, reason, justice and fairness. God does not look at religious performance; He looks at the heart. All that we say and all that we do needs to be guided by love in order to be what is right and fair. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in all that we say and do, and may all we give be right and true. Lead us Lord, so that we may live right and justly throughout all of our days.

Help us, Lord Jesus,

in all of our ways;

to be right and just,

throughout each new day.

May our hearts reflect,

the glory that’s Yours;

as we walk in love,

for Your love restores.

It mends what’s broken,

restoring to whole;

brings joy and laughter,

for You soothe our soul.

Lead us, Lord Jesus,

to walk in Your love;

may kindness be seen,

through grace from above.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are far more concerned with our choices to live with fairness and to act justly, than You do about us presenting some sort of religious appearance. Thank You that You love us as we are, and transform us as You renew our hearts and minds. Thank You that You call us to love like You. Forgive us for the times that we have spoken or acted in a way that did not demonstrate Your goodness, fairness and grace. Teach us to walk in Your ways and to love all whom we encounter as You do. Lead us to love well, so that all may come to know Your heart for each one of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us more and more how to live right and justly throughout all of our days. Amen.

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

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8

A Gentle Answer

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – (Proverbs 15:1, NIV)

A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow. – (Proverbs 15:1, ERV)

A tender answer turns away rage, but a prickly reply spikes anger. – (Proverbs 15:1, VOICE)

It doesn’t matter who you are or how old, when a temper is fired up, gentleness begins to defuse it. There is something about being given gentle kindness when fury flares that squelches the heat and brings the heart back to a more neutral space. It may not immediately bring the angry to sunshine and roses, but it does take away the reason to keep fanning the flames. As a middle school teacher, I have the opportunity to practice this daily. Most of the time, I am able to answer gently and whatever we are doing is able to continue. However, human nature can rear its ugly head at times, and the sarcasm screams to strike within me. Thankfully, our thoughts are not cartoon thought bubbles, and there is almost always time to self-edit prior to producing kindling or worse, gasoline, for the fire before us. We are all a work in progress, and it is a practice that must be utilized often to be on the forefront of how we respond rather than react. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us to answer gently and respond tenderly when tempers are flaring before us.

O Lord, You are good,

And Your words are kind;

Despite how we come,

You have love in mind.

Your great tenderness,

Speaks straight to the heart;

If we choose listen,

The anger departs.

Show us Lord Jesus,

Again and again;

How to respond well,

Shine light from within.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You respond to us gently and tenderly, no matter how we come. Thank You for the people in our lives whom You have given to show us how to love and respond like You. Forgive us for the times that we have lacked gentleness and tenderness in our response to others. Teach us to rely on You to lead us in Your love. Show us how to meet each person where they are at and leave them in a better space than before our interaction. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and rely on You to lead us in our every response to those around us. Amen.

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

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. – Philippians 4:5

Joy, Patience, and Prayer

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – (Romans 12:12, NIV)

Be happy because of the hope you have. Be patient when you have troubles. Pray all the time. – (Romans 12:12, ERV)

Do not forget to rejoice, for hope is always just around the corner. Hold up through the hard times that are coming, and devote yourselves to prayer. – (Romans 12:12, VOICE)

This is a timely reminder, as it is exactly what we need right now. Yesterday, I woke with fresh hope for our mom, as she had a great day on Monday. The day was a mixed bag, but after school there was much joy and anticipation for me as a coach. As we arrived and warmed up, all was well, and joy and hope were abundant. About ten minutes before the game, my sister called me with an update. Mom was having a rough day, as pain management was a challenge, and thus she was not wanting to participate in the physical therapy they had for her. Shortly after the news, I received a text from my pastor asking how she was doing. I replied and said a quick prayer for mom and went about the business of coaching. On my drive home, my sister called again to let me know that the day had totally turned around for the better! She participated in the afternoon physical therapy session, her pain was better managed, and steps were being taken to set up the transfer back to her own community in the skilled nursing center there. The plan is to move her on Thursday, so my Viking and I will be there to help and assure her as she moves closer to her own community and family. Gratitude floods my heart as I prepare to head mom’s way after practice today. Having wellness leave, I can take a few days to go and be with mom, my sister and her family, and we will even get to be present for my nephew’s senior night game in lacrosse. I continue to rejoice in God’s goodness and care for mom and hold fast to hope as she navigates healing and recovery. Prayer is present each time I think of her, and I am so grateful for the many who are also lifting mom up in prayer. May we ever seek the Lord with thanksgiving, trusting in His goodness and grace, for He is faithful to meet us in trials and triumphs, and ever hears us as we come before Him in prayer.

Rejoice in the Lord,

Not for that which comes;

But for who He is,

And all He has done.

The Lord is faithful,

He hears our heart’s cry;

He fills us with hope,

Good we can’t deny.

No matter what comes,

We’ve reason to hope;

God’s love’s forever,

Each promise He spoke.

So, trust in the Lord,

Give thanks for His grace;

Choose seek Him always,

He is why we pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for always having reason to rejoice in You. Thank You that You are our hope in good times and bad, and that Your love carries us when we are weary. Forgive us for our frustrations with the challenges that life brings. Teach us to navigate all things with joy and thanksgiving for who You are and the hope that we forever have in You. Show us how to pray continually. Lead us to love those around us well, so that they too may know the help and hope that You provide. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we rejoice in Your goodness, stand firm in our hope in You, and pray continually because You are our help and peace forever. Amen.

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

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. – 1 Chronicles 16:34

A Work In Progress

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. – (2 Peter 1:5-7, NIV)

Because you have these blessings, do all you can to add to your life these things: to your faith add goodness; to your goodness add knowledge; to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add patience; to your patience add devotion to God; to your devotion add kindness toward your brothers and sisters in Christ, and to this kindness add love. – (2 Peter 1:5-7, ERV)

To achieve this, you will need to add virtue to your faith, and then knowledge to your virtue; to knowledge, add discipline; to discipline, add endurance; to endurance, add godliness; to godliness, add affection for others as sisters and brothers; and to affection, at last, add love. – (2 Peter 1:5-7, VOICE)

We are all a work in progress. Each of these strengths to which we are called to grow, are not things that we can just decide we want to possess, and then all of a sudden, they are present, but rather it is an ongoing pursuit to grow in each. It requires intentional seeking of the Lord, and navigating the path we are on in His way. Goodness, knowledge, self-control, patience, devotion, kindness and love are all things that grow in us as we follow after God and choose to do His will. These things grow over time. Often, the most growth transpires in the most tumultuous or frustrating times. For example, patience tends to grow most when we find ourselves in a season of waiting. We have to practice patience to become patient. I don’t know about you, but I know that my patience is circumstantial in strength. Though I am quite patient with students in my classroom, I often discover my patience is lacking when I am stuck behind a slow driver or a slow shopper. I have to take deep breaths and remind myself that people go at the pace that they are comfortable and feel safe. It is, however, trying when it is well under the speed limit or it bottlenecks the isle. Thankfully, we have new opportunities to grow in each of these things every single day. It is up to us to lean on the Lord to lead us, or to simply react to life around us. May we ever seek the Lord to grow us to be more like Him, and may His goodness, kindness, knowledge, self-control, patience and devotion be made evident through our love.

Lord, in Your kindness,

Grow us in Your love;

May our lives reflect,

Your heart from above.

With wisdom and grace,

Teach us self-control;

Add to our knowledge,

As love is our goal.

Grace us with patience,

Throughout each new day;

So love is poured out,

As we walk Your way.

Grow our devotion,

To You and others;

So care is made clear,

To sisters, brothers.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to never stop growing and becoming the person who You have created us to be. Thank You that as we seek You and spend time with You, You transform us to more clearly reflect Your heart to the world. Forgive us for the times that we have been impatient, unkind, or lacked self-control. Teach us to do and be better each time that we fall short. Lead us in Your overwhelming love, so that each of these attributes become evident in us. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your heart known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to grow us more and more like You. Amen.

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

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

To Be Community

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! – (Psalm 133:1, NIV)

Oh, how wonderful, how pleasing it is when God’s people come together as one! – (Psalm 133:1, ERV)

How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in peace! – (Psalm 133:1, VOICE)

There are few things as wonderful as being in a community that works together and maintains peace among themselves. As an educator, I am in a unique situation, as many of my colleagues and I have worked together at our school for many years. Though different personalities and passions outside of school, we are united in purpose. Even when our circumstances have been less than ideal (think entire Covid lockdown and then navigating return) we have supported and encouraged each other. Because I have been the utility teacher that has been shuffled from subject to subject and grade to grade, I have had the opportunity to work closely with many of my colleagues over the years. It has been a blessing to get to know and work closely with each. It really does feel familial and is the reason I have spent my entire career at one school. My hope and prayer is that the students too, will feel the sense of family and learn to function together in peace. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us to live together in peace with those whom He has placed in our lives.

United purpose,

Helps us each to see;

To work together,

In sweet harmony.

For peace shall be found,

As we look to see;

The needs of others,

Intentionally.

Oh it is so good,

And pleasant to be;

In supportive space,

True community.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to be in community. Thank You that it is good and pleasing to You when we work together for the common good and allow Your peace to reign. Thank You that as we live and work together, it feels familial. Forgive us for the times that we have done anything to upset the peace that You intended to be present. Teach us to seek You to lead us in Your love so that we may live as brothers and sisters that pursue the good You have set before us. Show us how to love as You love each of us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we look to You to lead us to live as brothers and sisters to extend Your goodness and peace to all. Amen.

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

Faithful love and truth will join together; righteousness and peace will embrace. – Psalm 85:10

Praise for Perpetual Goodness and Love

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. – (Psalm 118:1, HCSB)

Praise the Lord because He is good! His faithful love will last forever! – (Psalm 118:1, ERV)

Thank God because He’s good, because His love never quits. – (Psalm 118:1, MSG)

Give thanks to the Eternal because He is always good. He never ceases to be loving and kind. – (Psalm 118:1, VOICE)

Each day that we wake up and draw breath, we have reason to thank God for His goodness. His faithful love has carried us through the night, and His presence remains as we rise. The Lord’s loving kindness grants us a brand new day, and His faithfulness causes the sun to rise again and again. Everywhere we look, there is evidence of the Lord’s goodness and love. Right now, I am flanked by our sweet pups, one on either side of me as I am writing. There is evidence of God’s goodness everywhere, and He is faithful to show us again and again how much He loves us as we intentionally seek Him. May we ever look to the Lord as we begin each new day, and give Him thanks and praise for who He is and how He loves.

Give thanks to the Lord,

For He’s always good;

His love knows no end,

He’s hope understood.

Wherever we look,

We can’t help but see;

God’s loving kindness,

For you and for me.

Each new day we wake,

His presence so near;

His love evident,

As hope is made clear.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are always good and loving and kind. Thank You that evidence of Your nearness is everywhere. Thank You that You make Your heart known to us. Forgive us for not recognizing Your goodness and grace that grants us each new day. Teach us to praise You with each new breath, for You alone are worthy of all thanks and praise. Show us how to love those around us in ways that make Your heart and hope evident. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your goodness and Your faithful love forever. Amen.

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

I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me. – Psalm 13:6

Joy and Rest

Therefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely. – (Psalm 16:9, HCSB)

So my heart and soul will be very happy. Even my body will live in safety. – (Psalm 16:9, ERV)

This is a good life – my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy, and my body is at rest. Who could want for more? – (Psalm 16:9, VOICE)

This feels like the reason for summer break for students and staff alike. Time away provides rest and reflection, and it seems that through this season of rest, hearts are made glad and joy is restored. I am so grateful that God provides what we need when we need it most. Not only has the school year come to a close, but my love has taken vacation time and we are enjoying the opportunity to take care of projects, spend time together, and relish the time we are able to spend with our besties, as they prepare to move out of state in six months. God is good, and my heart is glad. May we ever give thanks to the Lord who fills us with joy, keeps us safe, and provides much needed rest.

Lord, You are so good,

In You, there is rest;

Peace for the weary,

Your joy is the best.

It fills up our hearts,

Surrounds us with peace;

Reminds us again,

Your love will not cease.

You restore in us,

The things that seemed lost;

In safety renew,

Grace never exhausts.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You are where we find joy, security and rest. Thank You that You provide what we need when we need it most. Thank You for seasons that grant us extra rest and refreshment. Forgive us for losing sight of where true joy is found when we are weary. Teach us to trust in You and recognize the joy that we have in You, no matter our circumstances. Show us how to love those around us in ways that provide rest for the weary and extend the joy we have in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for Your goodness and grace that give us joy, rest and security. Amen.

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

When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy. – Psalm 94:19