Grace and Peace

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. – (1 Corinthians 1:3, NLT)

 

As many of you know, I am a very early riser. My typical wake-up time on work days is 3:30 am. Yesterday morning, I woke to the sound of a sweet text message on my phone, rather than the usual song that my alarm is set to play. When I looked at the time, I realized it was two hours and twenty minutes later than my typical waking time, and I was going to have to move quickly to get out the door on time. Normally, being thrown off that much would have sent me into a bit of a panic mode, yet yesterday, I felt grace and peace. Although I was sad to not spend the first portion of my day doing devotions and writing, I felt His grace and peace, reminding me that my body needed to be nourished too. Additionally, my boys got going the moment I woke them, and were able to get ready and out the door on time, despite the late start. His grace and peace were given to each of us, and all three of us ultimately had good days, despite what could have produced a panicked start. The Lord is faithful to give grace and peace when we look to Him. May His grace and peace be present today, no matter what comes your way.

 

The God of all grace,

Will always be near;

He grants us His peace,

And calms all our fears.

We need not panic,

Nor allow stress reign;

For God is our strength,

He makes our path plain.

Seek the Lord always,

Be filled with His grace;

Let His peace lead us,

To walk well each day.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gifts of Your grace and peace that You freely and lavishly give unto us. Thank You that You meet us in our moments of need, and bring calm to what could be chaotic. Forgive us for allowing panic to reign, rather than slowing down to seek You. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would depend on You and Your strength for grace and peace when things are askew. Show us how to extend Your grace and peace to those around us, so that they come to know how deeply You love each of us, individually. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we receive the grace and peace that You give, and then go forth to share the same with all whom we meet. Amen.

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

Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. – James 5:13

Unexpected Rest

As I woke this morning, before hearing an alarm, I knew something was off. I had gone to bed exhausted, so waking before an alarm did not make sense to me. When I checked my watch, it all became quite clear… It was 5:43, and I usually wake at 3:15. A sort of near-panic mode set in. My usual routine was completely thrown off, and I needed to get my boys and myself moving and out the door.

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. Accept my teaching. Learn from Me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest.” – (Matthew 11:28-29, ERV)

Sometimes, His rest comes in unexpected ways. I still woke in enough time to get the boys and myself up and out the door in time for school, and we each were granted the rest that our bodies needed – more than I’d realized. Though I disliked the disruption from my morning routine, I can see His hand in the orchestration of rest that I received. Today is going to be another very long day, and He is gentle and kind, and grants what we need, when we need it most. He knew that I would have to cover another teacher’s class during my planning, that I have to lead our collaboration period this afternoon, that there is a gymnastics meet after school, and that I have strength training to get to after that. God was even so kind as to time my mom’s drive through town on her way to my sister’s, so that she can drive my boys home from school, rather than having them stuck attending the gymnastics meet.

There are times rest comes,
unexpected ways;
the Author of souls,
orchestrates our days.
He knows what we need,
despite how we feel;
He provides His help,
as His love’s revealed.
May we choose to rest,
in what the Lord brings;
for His grace provides,
strength for hearts to sing.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the rest that You provide, even in unexpected places. Thank You that You know what we need, far better than we do, and You give good things unto us. Forgive us for fear or panic when Your granting of rest seems to disrupt our routine, and help us to embrace the gift of grace that You are providing. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would be grateful for every good and perfect gift that comes from You, even when it comes in a package that seems to throw off our “normal”. Show us how to love and help others in such a way, that we might offer Your grace and strength to those in need of rest. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we embrace the rest that You provide, and give You praise for Your good gifts. Amen.

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

I am sad and tired. Say the word, and make me strong again. – Psalm 119:28, ERV