Laced With Grace

As I was thinking what I would share today on Valentine’s Day, my thoughts kept coming back to three words: Jesus loves you.

We grow up hearing, reading, and watching love stories. Of all the love stories ever written though, His story of love for you is the most beautiful and most powerful.

God sent His Son Jesus to this earth as a baby, something He didn’t have to do. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11, 12

Jesus walked and lived on the earth as a man, yet without sinning. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

He hung on an ugly cross for our sins and died between two thieves. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

But that wasn’t the end of the story! He rose from that grave just as He said He would do. “In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.” Luke 24:5-8

He did not have to do any of these things for us, yet He did. Jesus loves you!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16, 17

It is hard to grasp such love with our human minds, but He wants you to accept His love He freely offers.

Whatever you are going through right now, Jesus loves you! I wanted to remind you of that today in case you forgot or didn’t know.

JESUS loves you.
Jesus LOVES you.
Jesus loves YOU.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The fireplace is glowing. The turkey is roasting. The pies are cooling. And the guests will soon be arriving.

This sets the scene for so many of us today, as we gather with our loved ones around a table of plenty and offer up our thanks for the blessings that we have all received. It is a wonderful day to celebrate the goodness of our Father and share in love and memories with our loved ones. It is a day to rejoice. To celebrate. And to remember.

The writing team here at LACED WITH GRACE will be sitting down to our own feast sometime today. Each of us live in a different town, even different states, but we all share a kindred spirit with one another and a special appreciation for each of you, our readers! We would like to take this time to just say THANK YOU to all of you who so faithfully tune in Monday thru Friday to share with us as we write from our hearts. We also give honor and praise to the One Who inspires us and spurs us on…Jesus Christ, Who is the reason we are able to give thanks.

So from our Thanksgiving table to yours, all of us here at LWG wish you and yours a very blessed THANKSGIVING!

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FROM NORTH CAROLINA… “This Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for becoming keenly aware of God’s presence by searching for God in the moment. Sometimes the moments have full of joy. Sometimes the moments have difficult to accept. They’ve both come from His hand so I can experience the truth that He is enough.” -MARSHA

FROM SOUTH CAROLINA…‘This Thanksgiving,I am savoring the fact that my children are still all under one roof (only one more year probably). I’m thankful for that roof, the family God has made us, and that cooking and eating together carves an all-five-senses memory deep into our lives. Happy Thanksgiving, all.” - DAWN

FROM FLORIDA… “What a tremendous joy it is to be living in a day with such awesome opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ with the world! I used to have a Mary Englebreit t-shirt that read: ‘Life is just so daily’. I thought it was cute–but as I reflect on those words in a spiritual context, I change it up:  ‘His benefits and blessings are SO daily!’ (Psalms 68:19) Thank you faithful readers for joining us on this journey of daily benefits and discovery of the truths that God would have us know!” - ANGIE

“This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the sweet times God has graciously given my family and I to spend together on camping adventures. With the unexpected death of my mother in law earlier this year, we have learned to savor and cherish these moments away were we can simply relax, connect and have lots of fun.” - DANA

FROM IOWA… “I am thankful for a wonderful husband and 5 beautiful children. I am most thankful for a God who loves me, forgives me, encourages me, and challenges me to be more like Him everyday. I am thankful for a network of beautiful women on the internet who so honestly share their hearts and experiences all for the glory of God. Have a blessed and joyous thanksgiving.” Much love – TRACY

FROM ARIZONA… “Happy Thanksgiving to all! I am so thankful for God’s faithfulness. He has provided me with what I needed through a very challenging season in my life. I have a wonderful family, many blogging friends, a job that involves children, an opportunity to write and share Christ and His peace. He is sufficient for all my needs!” -DEBBIE

“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:19-24 (NLT)

For over 27 years I have been “challenged” with Chronic Illness.  As the years continue to pass with no end to my physical suffering in sight, at times I cry out to God as the Prophet Jeremiah did in Lamentations.

God knows all about our sufferings and trials in our lives.  There is nothing that happens to us without His knowledge.  Sometimes that in itself makes no sense to me.  Let’s face it, when something horrible happens we find ourselves questioning God –“Lord, why is this happening? What have I done to deserve……?”

I cannot tell you how many times I have questioned God; but just as Jeremiah lamented, I too will see a ray hope in all my trials when I am reminded that the faithful love and mercy of my precious Lord never ceases!

Dear Lord, how glorious to know that Your faithfulness and mercy begin afresh each day!  For You are my priceless inheritance because I have put my faith and trust in You, my Lord and my Savior.  Even though at times my pain seems to be too great to bear, I will lay all my cares upon You because I have set my hope is in You.  In Jesus, precious name, amen.   

YOU WANNA DANCE?