Growing in Grace

I was tired of looking at our ugly, dying grass. Like an overused carpet, it showed only patches of the green it once was. In its vibrant place was a dull and lifeless yellow and brown. I tried to lift the edge, and to my surprise, it ripped up in a long strip. As I pulled, it snapped out with a pop like cracking knuckles. As I stacked the thick layers of dead sod along the sidewalk, I sighed with cathartic relief. Before I knew it, my yard was a clean patch of dirt.

I left it forgotten. But after a quick week, my front yard had erupted in a thick garden of weeds.

Its easy to tear down, to criticize, to walk away- yes to tear out what has been planted. But even if we walk away or turn our back, the empty soil is still there.

Its impossible to leave that space empty. We have a choice. When we face a hurt, or challenge, a loss, frustration, or broken heart- a space that feels lifeless- we have a choice to leave it empty and let it erupt into painful weeds that choke out life, or we can water the soil with gratitude, with hope, forgiveness and love, and see what God can grow there. We can bury the hurt and shame, the hopelessness and anger, we can put a stake in the middle of it in the shape of a cross, and see what God resurrects.

I realized how easily ugly weeds can take over when I’m not looking. I have a choice to fill those empty places with flowers, or let them get ravaged by weeds.  Weeds grow deep gnarled roots that leave me breathless and hurting. Weeds that leave thorns that tear hidden wounds that scar me.

But I don’t have to leave hurt places empty. My weed patch in the front yard  reminds me that I can’t ignore the raw and empty places of my heart, but need to take the time to sit with God in them. To let Him  fill them up with His truth and a beauty only He can create..

God blows seeds into my life every day.. With love, patience, and forgiveness, over time, I can allow Him to grow gardens, even in the raw, empty spaces.

He can grow wildflowers, forget-me-nots, and fiery red tulips shaped like love notes. He can raise up white elegant lilies, and sweet pink gerber daisies like my baby’s pink petal lips. He can grow bushes that burst with big ripe strawberries, and grape vines that stretch out with a sigh of fullness and life. When we’re desperate its easy to think life looks desolate– but He can use our tears to grow dandelions. He can paint that cross white like a picket fence, and scroll across it the word grace.

Suscríbete a nuestro blog

Artículos Relacionados

A Message of Hope

A Blue Christmas service is for when Christmas is difficult.  Even though Christmas is over the message of this special worship experience is still quite…

Shame-Based Families Versus Grace-Based Families

Relationships can be difficult because of shame-based thinking.  Shame can lock you into cognitive distortions that cause difficulties in marriage, parenting, work relationships and friendships.  Shame itself can make it way into your soul, warping how you see everything in life.  Grace, on the other hand, frees one to be in relationships with others and to enjoy those relationships even when there is conflict!

Shame-Based Families Versus Grace-Based Families

Relationships can be difficult because of shame-based thinking.  Shame can lock you into cognitive distortions that cause difficulties in marriage, parenting, work relationships and friendships.  Shame itself can make it way into your soul, warping how you see everything in life.  Grace, on the other hand, frees one to be in relationships with others and to enjoy those relationships even when there is conflict!

es_MXSpanish

INSCRÍBASE EN LA PARTE SUPERIOR DERECHA DEL SITIO WEB

Webinar "Cómo pueden las iglesias facilitar el acceso a la atención de salud mental"

Regístrese aquí para ver gratis

Webinar "Lo que desearía que mi pastor supiera sobre salud mental"

Regístrese aquí para ver gratis

Dé el primer paso para crear su propia empresa
Grupo de apoyo Fresh Hope

Por favor, rellene este formulario para que podamos proporcionarle más detalles sobre cómo iniciar un Ministerio Hope Coach.

Mejor momento para contactar

Introduce tus datos y nos pondremos en contacto contigo para que te conviertas en Hope Coach

Mejor momento para contactar

Lo que su donación puede hacer por
Esperanza para los desesperados

Por cada 32 centavos donados, podemos ofrecer esperanza durante una semana a una persona con un desafío de salud mental.

Por cada $16.64 donados anualmente, podemos ofrecer esperanza durante un año a una persona.

Cualquier cantidad que puedas donar ayudará a llevar esperanza a quienes la necesitan desesperadamente.

¿Qué tipo de donación te gustaría hacer?

Introduce tus datos para hablar con un Hope Coach

Mejor momento para contactar

Gracias por dar el siguiente paso
hacia la esperanza.

Queremos asegurarnos de que le enviamos la información que mejor se adapte a sus necesidades, así que tómese unos minutos para rellenar los datos que figuran a continuación.

(Tenga en cuenta que su privacidad es nuestra mayor preocupación. Fresh Hope nunca venderá sus datos y su información se mantendrá estrictamente confidencial).

Nombre

Dirección

Teléfono / Email

Lo que mejor me describe es lo siguiente