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

You Are

You are my strength, I sing praise to You; You, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. – (Psalm 59:17, NIV)

I will sing praises to You, my Source of strength. You, God, are my place of safety. You are the God who loves me! – (Psalm 59:17, ERV)

I will lift my voice to sing Your praise, O my Strength – for You came to my defense. O God, You have shown me Your loving mercy. – (Psalm 59:17, VOICE)

Here we are, on this first Friday of June, and it is remarkable to look back and recognize how many times God has supplied His strength and safe space as I navigated the new this school year has provided. Teaching a new subject with new curriculum can be completely exhausting. It requires hours of pouring over the multiple resources to identify and prepare to teach each week’s lessons. Add to that coaching responsibilities from November to June, and the fullness of each day has been crazy. With only twelve more wake-ups remaining, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude for how clearly God has been my Source of strength and my refuge when weariness would wear me down. Each morning, He showed me His loving kindness and renewed my strength and resolve to press on and trust Him to show me the ways in which I was meant to go. God is faithful, loving, and kind, and He is worthy of all of our trust. May we ever seek the Lord and give Him praise, for He supplies what we need and is our safe space through all that life brings to us.

O Lord, You’re so good,

Your promises true;

all praise I will sing,

with thanks unto You.

You supply the strength,

each day that I need;

and You’re my comfort,

as through love You lead.

You lead by Your grace,

and show me the way;

the strength to press on,

refilled each new day.

O Lord, I’m grateful,

for Your love that’s true;

to You I will sing,

ever trusting You.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our strength and place of retreat, and that You provide all that we need to press on. Thank You for Your love that knows no end. Forgive us for the times that we neglect to give praise where praise is due, or we forget just how big You truly are. Teach us to trust You more and to sing praise to You for Your faithfulness forever. Lead us to love those around us as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we sing praise to You and thank You for all that You are and all that You do. Amen.

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

But our Lord gave me a full measure of His grace. And with that grace came the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. – 1 Timothy 1:14

Encourage One Another

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. – (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV)

So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing. – (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ERV)

So support one another. Keep building each other up as you have been doing. – (1 Thessalonians 5:11, VOICE)

As we have at long last reached the final day of May, may we continue to encourage and build each other up, for the finish line is finally in view. Today is our last volleyball game of the season. It has been exciting to learn and grow in something new, and be in a space where encouraging each other is the norm. It ought to be the same as we grow in our faith, cheering each other on and encouraging one another to become the best version of ourselves. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us to encourage and build each other up, so that we all may press on and finish strong.

Lord, give us patience,

to choose persevere;

encourage others,

build up, fend off fear.

Lead us and guide us,

to walk in Your ways;

to lift others up,

be our strength each day.

Help us, Lord Jesus,

in all that we do;

may we shine Your light,

as You we pursue.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You encourage, strengthen, and build us up. Thank You that You call us to do likewise for those around us. Forgive us for the times that we lacked the resolve to trust You to be the Source of what we needed. Teach us to trust in You more, and lead us in Your love to encourage and build up all those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the strength and encouragement You supply, and extend the same to those around us by Your grace. Amen.

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

You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; You encourage them, and You listen to their cry. – Psalm 19:17

Promote Peace

If it is at all possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. – (Romans 12:18, NIV)

Do the best you can to live at peace with everyone. – (Romans 12:18, ERV)

If it is within your power, make peace with all people. – (Romans 12:18, VOICE)

The only thing that we can control is the way that we choose to interact and react to those around us. If our heart is determined to love in all that we do, we are promoting peace through our words and actions. We can be at peace with those around us, even if they are not interested in the same. As we walk in forgiveness, we do not carry the weight that holding grudges creates. On our own, this is an impossible ask, yet with Jesus, we are equipped and empowered to love and forgive and be at peace in all things and at all times. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love and pray to Him to provide peace within us wherever we go.

Peace is possible,

wherever we go;

as we live at peace,

with all whom we know.

The choice, it is ours,

to love in all things;

respond like Jesus,

so goodness we bring.

Wherever we go,

whatever we do;

Lord help us bring peace,

as we choose love true.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to peace. Thank You that You do not merely call us to peace, but You equip and empower us to be at peace with those around us. Forgive us for the times that we have held onto hurts or have grown a grudge against another. Teach us to release all things into Your hands, for You are just and good, and trustworthy with all things. Show us how to love those around us in ways that promote peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we listen to Your leading and rely on Your love. Amen.

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

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. – Psalm 34:14

A Good Neighbor

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. – (Romans 15:2, NIV)

But do what pleases them and is for their good. We should do whatever helps everyone grow stronger in faith. – (Romans 15:2, ERV)

Each of us must strive to please our neighbors, pursuing their welfare so they will become strong. – (Romans 15:2, VOICE)

How can we please our neighbors? I don’t know about you, but for me, a good neighbor is one who is kind and considerate. To help build up and grow stronger in faith requires a relationship. If we don’t know our neighbors, we cannot possibly build them up nor help them grow stronger in faith. Neighbors can be anyone we interact with daily. Interestingly, we seem to be in a day and age where we do not really know the people who live nearby in our neighborhoods. In our neighborhood growing up, we all knew each other and looked out for one another. Today, such a neighborhood is rare. My husband is good at this, as he knows everyone on our block and has a positive rapport with each of them. My “neighbors” are more the teachers in nearby classrooms, as most of my waking hours are spent there. Having worked at the same school my entire career thus far, I have the benefit of knowing my colleagues well. Though I do not see everyone each day, I have had positive interactions with them all at one time or another. Wherever we are and whatever we do, we can be good neighbors and build others up. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us and show us how to be pleasing to those around us so that our kindness and care points hearts to the One who loves us best.

Wherever we are,

Whatever we do;

We all have neighbors,

That we are called to.

Called to choose do good,

And love others well;

So that all may grow,

And in goodness dwell.

Show us, Lord Jesus,

How to be the ones;

That lift others up,

And care as You’ve done.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to be good neighbors that love well and consider those around us. Thank You that we can encourage others and help strengthen their faith as You work in and through us. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to be good neighbors in the spaces You have called us live and work and dwell. Teach us to trust You more and to follow the example that You have set before us. Lead us in Your love so that we may love our neighbors as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to show us how to love and care for those around us best. Amen.

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

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Galatians 5:14

The Gift of Grace

And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. – (Romans 11:6, NIV)

And if He chose them by grace, then it is not what they have done that made them His people. If they could be made His people by what they did, His gift of grace would not really be a gift. – (Romans 11:6, ERV)

Grace is central in God’s action here, and it has nothing to do with deeds prescribed by the law. If it did, grace would not be grace. – (Romans 11:6, VOICE)

I am so glad this is true. If you have ever spent time reading Levitical laws, you know there is no way humanly possible to follow them all. However, our salvation is not based on that, instead, we are saved by grace. God welcomes us unto Himself when we call on His Name and trust in Him. His expectations for us are to love Him and love people. The Lord does not expect us to do this on our own, but rather He gives us His grace, mercy, love, and kindness to love well. We cannot earn our way into heaven by being or doing good enough. In place of such, He gives us a heart like His and provides what we need to navigate each day. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us by His grace and extend what we have been given to those around us.

Chosen by God’s grace,

It’s truly a gift;

His love we can’t earn,

In praise, choose uplift.

For God is so good,

His grace He pours out;

Calls us His own kids,

Love’s what He’s about.

So, ever seek Him,

And trust in His grace;

Love God and people,

And give Him all praise.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your love and salvation are gifts You freely give when we choose to receive all that You offer and follow after You. Thank You that we do not need to be “good enough”, for You within us, is more than enough. Forgive us for thinking that we somehow could earn Your favor rather than simply trusting in Your goodness and grace and choosing to follow after You out of love and gratitude not fear or obligation. Teach us trust You more so that we might love as You love. Lead us in Your love as we praise You and pursue to love those around us as You do. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You for Your overwhelming grace that calls us Your own and compels us to love well. Amen.

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

Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. – John 1:16

Singing Over Us

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. – (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV)

The Lord your God is with you. He is like a powerful soldier. He will save you. He will show how much He loves you and how happy He is with you. He will laugh and be happy about you. – (Zephaniah 3:17, ERV)

Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, He’ll calm you with His love and delight you with His songs. – (Zephaniah 3:17, MSG)

Though this passage was about Jerusalem being reconciled back to God, His heart for us is the same. As we turn and depend on Him, God saves us and delights in us. His love rejoices over us with His songs. I don’t know about you, but spring always seems to present extra challenges. At school, students amp up and struggle to stay focused, and personally, it seems to be the season that challenges transpire. Currently, the biggest challenge is mom’s recovery from a broken hip. She is a warrior, but this is far more than she signed up for. God is faithful, and we trust Him to lead her every step of the way, and to provide the encouragement she needs each new day. There is great comfort in Christ’s love, and the image of Him singing over us is beyond what my mind can conceive. His goodness, mercy, grace, kindness, and love surround us and bring us peace as we turn to Him. May we ever seek the Lord to be with us, to save us, to calm us, and to delight in us with His songs.

A peace far beyond,

What our minds conceive;

Love that surrounds us,

As we choose believe.

The Lord is our strength,

The One who can save;

His goodness granted,

Our sins He forgave.

Over us He sings,

With a Father’s love;

Joy unimagined,

Our hope from above.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the Mighty Warrior who saves us. Thank You that You love us, bring us Your peace, and sing over us with joy. Forgive us for losing sight of how great You are and how abundant Your love is for us all. Teach us to lean into You when life becomes challenging, for You are the strength that we need to press on. Show us how to love and encourage those around us well. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for who You are and how You love and embrace the goodness You give as You care for us as only You can. Amen.

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

I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing the praises of Your Name, O Most High. – Psalm 9:2

Thank You for Moms

For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. – (Psalm 139:13, NIV)

You formed the way I think and feel. You put me together in my mother’s womb. – (Psalm 139:13, ERV)

For You shaped me, inside and out. You knitted me together in my mother’s womb long before I took my first breath. – (Psalm 139:13, VOICE)

Without our mothers, we would not exist. No matter whether our upbringing was wonderful or a struggle, the gift that each person holds in their existence in the world is because they had a mother who chose to give them life. When I think of the dear friends and family that have and continue to surround me every day, I am so grateful to God that their mothers chose them. For my own mom, grandma, aunts, aunties, sister, and dear sister-like friends, I am in awe of the incredible way that they have been created and how each of them chooses to love so well. The examples set around me compel me to be the best version of myself and ever seek God to grow me into the woman and mother that He created me to be. We are all a work in progress, and He never stops working in, through, and around us as we pursue Him. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us and give Him praise for intentionally creating us with a plan and purpose.

Each with a purpose,

Created and formed;

Fully known and loved,

He calls us His own.

A mother, sister,

Auntie or a friend;

Purposefully placed,

To show love won’t end.

Lord, we are thankful,

For the ones given;

To love us so well,

Your chosen women.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the overwhelming blessings that You have placed in our lives through the ones who gave us life to those who have shaped, touched, and blessed our lives for the better. Thank You for my mom, as You knew just who my sister and I needed to guide and grow us best. Thank You for the women that You have placed in our lives to help shape us into who You want us to be. Forgive us for the times that we have taken these gifts for granted. Teach us to embrace the gifts all around us. Lead us to love people as You planned. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Please surround and uphold those who struggle through loss or absence of their moms today. Help each person feel the good that You have given through mothers and mother-like women in our lives. Be glorified O God, as we give You all of our thanks and praise, and ever seek You to lead us to love as You intended. Amen.

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

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you… – Isaiah 66:13a

Speech That’s Seasoned With Salt

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. – (Colossians 4:6, NIV)

When you talk, you should always be kind and wise. Then you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should. – (Colossians 4:6, ERV)

Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out. – (Colossians 4:6, MSG)

To be seasoned with salt in the original context was a reference to keeping food from spoiling. Because there was no refrigeration, salt was a method to preserve food so that it would nourish and fuel people, rather than spoil and cause sickness. Our words ought to do the same. If we speak in a way that is kind and wise and full of grace, we will bring out the best in others, this is life-giving. However, when we do not, the people around us are on their guard and lack the desire to be their best selves. May we ever seek the Lord to fill us with His grace so that our words will always be kind and wise and encourage the best in all those around us.

Lord, fill us with grace,

In all that we say;

Grant wisdom, kindness,

To speak in Your way.

Let each word spoken,

Give life and lift up;

Help mend the broken,

And fill other’s cups.

Show us Lord Jesus,

To love as You do;

And speak words of life,

So goodness shines through.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and grace. Thank You that Your words are light and life and love. Thank You that You call us to do the same. Forgive us for the times that our words have lacked the grace You intended us to give. Teach us to rely on You to lead us in all that we say and do. Show us how to always speak with wisdom and grace, so that all whom we encounter are encouraged and built up in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in how we speak to those around us. Amen.

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

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:2

Peaceful Praise

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – (Philippians 4:6, NIV)

Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. – (Philippians 4:6, ERV)

Don’t be anxious about things, instead, pray. Pray about everything. He longs to hear your requests, so talk to God about your needs and be thankful for what has come. – (Philippians 4:6, VOICE)

Yesterday was a whirlwind of a day, as mom was transported from the hospital to a skilled nursing center in her own retirement community. Though there was some nervousness on her part, the kindness of God was made evident through the people who were part of the process. From her nursing staff to the transport driver, and every person who interacted with us at her recovery place, it is very clear that God hears our prayers and is faithful to meet our needs. We are so grateful that there was space available for mom in her own community, as it is located minutes from where my sister and brother-in-law work and live. The mission of the skilled nursing place is to treat everyone with kindness and dignity, and clearly, they are committed to do so. It will be a process to heal and rebuild strength, but God is faithful to supply what is needed each day and has shown Himself faithful over and over again. May we ever seek the Lord in prayer to ask for what we need and give Him thanks for who He is and how He continually shows us His faithful love.

Lord, we are thankful,

For all You have done;

In love, You provide,

All grace through Your Son.

You meet us each day,

With love that is new;

You grant us the strength,

For what we’re to do.

You provide Your peace,

That settles our hearts;

And comfort chaos,

Show us where to start. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You settle our hearts and bring us the peace and strength we need to navigate all things. Thank You that You hear our prayers and supply all of our needs. Forgive us for our anxiousness as we encounter new challenges. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times. Lead us to love those around us as You do, so that Your loving faithfulness is made evident to all. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and praise You for the peace, grace, and faithful love that You provide each day we draw breath. Amen.

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

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13