Laced With Grace

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
(Romans 15:13 ESV)

As I was leaving my favorite coffee shop this morning, my eyes caught the head-line of the NY Times. I was so sad to read that yet another student opened fired on his peers…

As I was driving to work, my mind kept going back to the headline and the image of crying teenagers on the front page. I do not understand why these type of things keep happening. I read a little about the story on NY Times’ website to search for the reason. Reading about the teenage shooter, I understand the reasoning even less. Only one question comes to mind: Is there no hope left in this world?

Sadly, in today’s age of “reasoning”, many have turned away from believing that Christ died for them and their sins. Even thought Jesus was God, He was also human. He completely understood the struggles we face this side of heaven.

Jesus’ human side experienced hunger, disappointments, loneliness. Because of Jesus’ human side, I have hope. A hope that will see me through the day-to-day struggles. Hope that tomorrow will be brighter than today.

Today I asked myself: how can I share the hope I have with those who seem to have no hope left; especially the younger generation? With all the media we have at our fingertips, we have lost the human touch. We have isolated ourselves to live a life behind a computer screen. We don’t share hope longer in person…

“…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…”
(1 Peter 3:15 ESV)

Will you join me today to be intentional about reaching out to someone in your life that seems to have lost all hope? To touch the hopeless with the Good News of Christ’s death and resurrection? Share the Good News of the Giver of Life?

I always like to share Scripture passages on an index card with my Christian co-workers. So why not write out a Scripture passage for someone who does not yet believe? It may get me in trouble with HR, but my action may give someone hope…

Lord of Heaven and Earth; guide us today to reach out with the Good News of Your never ending love. Bring us together with the people that have lost all hope and are searching to find peace. Give us the words to speak of hope and love that can be found at the foot of Your Cross. We are trusting in Your mercy. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ~ Romans 5:6-8 (ESV)

One of my favorite things is to listen to other people’s story of salvation; I had shared my personal testimony several years ago on my personal blog. Sure mine is not ‘glamorous’; God has always been part of my life since I was a little girl. But God got my serious attention when I didn’t know where else to turn.

The full understanding of God’s grace didn’t come until I was well into my thirties. Although my parents taught us from the Bible, I disregarded God and His plan of salvation. I did not understand His full scope of love He had for me and all mankind (some days it still boggles my mind).

What helped me was when I read the Gospel of John from start to finish. Believe me, I could not stop reading. If you have never opened up the Bible, I suggest you start with the Gospel of John to find out for yourself the beautiful story of how the Word became flesh, about God’s love, how Jesus made a blind man see, and the most beautiful part, Jesus’ resurrection so that we may have life.

If you have received God’s grace, share your story. I would love to read what Jesus has done for you my dear friend.

Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank You for Your love. Some days it seems that ‘Thank You’ is not enough. You have reached down to me so that I may have life everlasting. May my life always honor You and show others what it means to be loved unconditionally. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.

Photo & Content Copyright © Iris Nelson

This Easter weekend I’ve been dramatically reminded of the extreme sacrifice of some gifts.

There are gifts that are special because the giver spent countless hours hand crafting the gift or perhaps gave a unique, one of a kind gift. I call gifts like that legacy or keepsake gifts.  The grateful recipient treasures the gift and loves to tell the story about the giver.

Other gifts  are special because they are sacrificial and a high price was paid for it.  The humble recipient acknowledges they could never pay the price for such a generous gift and they’re forever grateful to the gift giver.

This week, a precious little three year old girl named Sarah became a part of my world. I knew of her, she’s my son-in-law’s great niece, but I’d never met her. Having a sweet three year old granddaughter myself, the story of Sarah’s Gift has pierced my soul.

Friday night, Sarah started having seizures. A trip to the local emergency room revealed a possible burst aneurism in her brain. She was transferred to a specialty hospital where she was placed on life support. As the weekend progressed, tests confirmed a parent’s worse nightmare – no brain wave activity.  After much excruciating deliberation among all the family members present, the decision was made to discontinue the life support.  Her parents, grandparents and other family members said their emotional goodbyes.

Blood and tissue samples were then taken and the search begin.  Who would receive Sarah’s Gift?

Monday, my daughter and son-in-law represented the family and watched as Sarah’s tiny body was transferred to a gurney with a transportable life support system attached. They walked with Sarah towards the operating room where medical teams from 4 states   would make all the necessary preparations to give Sarah’s Gift.

Into the night Monday night and early Tuesday, 6 children, 6 families received the miracle they had been praying for.

Sarah’s Gift was unique and came at great cost.  In her death, 6 little children have a new chance at life.

Later this week Sarah will be buried, and the family will continue to grieve and mourn her loss. But is she really lost when we know she’s with Jesus?  Yes, those who know her and love her are broken hearted and will think of her every day of their lives.  A void will be present that no one or nothing else can ever fill, but praise God for the resurrection!  Because of Christ’s sacrificial death, His burial and His resurrection, we can know with full assurance that Sarah is safely home in the arms of God-the ultimate Gift Giver.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

The social worker explained that in a few short weeks the family will hear from the gift recipient families and learn a little more about the children that received Sarah’s Gift. May her family find comfort in knowing that Sarah lives on not only in the lives of these 6 children, but she lives on in the presence of God Himself, the Giver of All Life.

Life is precious. Give those you love an extra hug tonight and thank God for the gift of  life.