Ask and you shall receive

It's been awhile since I've last posted. Life has been super busy, just go, go, go for months now. This is the first week in many where I feel like I've actually got to rest and my soul was at ease. So much has gone on, so many emotions, so much work, so much running around! I'm glad everything has calmed down for a little! But now I've got to share a crazy story with you...

Almost two weeks ago Michael got surgery on this knee. This knee has already been worked on twice and he tore his ACL about a year and a half ago and has just been struggling with it ever since. We contemplated surgery long ago but didn't want to have the medical debt stack up and leave us in a place that we were just freed from. So for months we were praying for God to heal Mikeys knee or for an affordable surgery. Mikey had received a free MRI from his doctor. Basically he was told it's going to have to been worked on in the future and would be best to get it done sooner than later. After that news we prayed even more and started to specifically ask God "if you want us to get this surgery for Michael let us know by making it super affordable and if it's way more than we can do, that will be a sign for us to wait when you want us to do this."

About a month went by and Michael called the hospital to see how much the surgery would cost with his insurance. The lady on the other end said, "Honey don't worry about it, it will be paid for." WHAT? That sort of thing NEVER happens! A FREE SURGERY?!
And the week leading up to this Michael didn't believe it and was expecting to pay something before entering the surgery room. We got there his deductible was already met and we didn't have to pay a dime!

In the mean time I was some what worried about money for the next few months just because we would only be living on one income. I was worried but I knew in my heart that we were going to be taken care of regardless how much money I was making during Mikes recovery. I expected Michael to be laid up for two months at least. But of course we come to find out that Michaels surgery went much better than expected and is only going to be out of work for 3 weeks! So insane when you ask God for an inch and he goes 10 miles!

This last year Mike and I have really learned and experienced the power of prayer. God loves us and he wants to bless us. Jesus said, "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." -John 14:13-14

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened." -Matthew 7:7

"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive it, if you have faith." -Matthew 11:24

His Provision

This past year Michael and I have been fighting off debit that was turned over to collections while Mike was in Chile two years ago. We were making huge monthly payments that left us living paycheck to paycheck. We were praying that God would help us get this paid off before we pursue our calling to move to LA and live as missionaries. After much praying with one another and people in our church The Lord blessed us in an incredible way! About a month ago Michael came into contact with some fellow missionaries and they started coming to church with us. One of the guys named Dave really connected with Michael and since then they've been fellowshipping with one another once a week. One night Dave came over to the house to hang out with Michael and before they parted ways they prayed for each other and Dave stopped Michael and told him that he's been praying for us and felt God calling him to bless us with some money to pay off the rest of our debit. Dave then pulls out a huge wad of cash and gave it to Mike saying "God has a big plan for you and Grace, this is only a fraction of what the Lord is going to do in your lives." How amazing is that?!

I wasn't present for any of their "man time" but Michael and I were talking later that night and he tells me the story above and pulls this money out of his pocket. My heart dropped to my butt and I just started balling. I was in such disbelief and awe... haha I still kind of am. There is no limit as to what God can do! The Lord is so good, praise Jesus! 

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." -Phillipians 4:19

-Gracie

Puzzle Pieces

A couple days ago I came across a story on Instagram that was really inspiring to me, it goes like this...

"Tonight I meet a man who asked me for dollar and some change. His name was Jeremiah and for the following two hours we sat under the Manhattan Bridge, ate some burgers, talked about the meaning of life, why we are all here, and where God is in all of this. Here is one thing that he shared with me: "This whole world is like a puzzle, We're all valid because we're all individual pieces that make up the puzzle. We all have a place that we fit. We're all made uniquely to validate the pieces around us and help show them who they truly are. God is good because he blesses me when he brings people like you in my life to help show me who I really am." (Story & Photo credit: @cubbygraham on Instagram)

Recently I've really come to see how important it is to be with people who push you to be the best person who can be, who God has called you to be rather. Growing up I didn't really know what this looked like. I hung out with people who were very much like me and who dabbled in the same sin I did. I spent a long time trying to battle my flesh alone with no one walking with me speaking truth to me. It's very hard to grow in life without others around to motivate you and invest in you. My husband is always pushing me to always be seeking The Lord. Often times it can be hard to break old habits and to break free from our "old selves" but when we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations and fighting our wants I think God can really use that for his glory. It's very important to be a "puzzle piece" that shows other puzzle pieces their worth and speaking truth to them. 

Unti next time, 

Gracie xo

"But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand." -Isaiah 64:8 

The Simple Truth

This week I was encouraged and reminded about how The Lord will never leave us, nor forsake us. Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." We all have struggles in life, every single one of us. There are times in life where we are crying out to God screaming,"Where the hell are you?!" Everything in life seems to be falling apart, your strength is failing, your hope is lost, you are loosing power to self-talk, you are just in a hole and feel like you're never going to make it out alive. (Read Psalm 22) This scripture was quoted 24 times in the New Testament...Psalm 22 is a foretelling of Jesus' crucifixion.

Jesus was forsaken by his own Father! God forsake His son for you and I! Would you ever give up your child for a scumbag sinner? Mmm probably not. All those who put faith in Jesus will NEVER be forsaken because Jesus is proof that God is for you and I. How personal is that? God gave Jesus for me. God gave Jesus for me. God gave Jesus for me! I'm so undeserving but He still did that! Because God loves me! If you're anything like me, I have to really try to remind myself of this simple, awesome, truth that saves our souls. (Read Isaiah 53) 

God forsake His son so that we who believe can reign in the kingdom of heaven FOR-E-V-ER! Revelation 22:1-5 "Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever." 

Love,
Gracie xo

Identity in Christ: First Post!

So I just had my 1st year anniversary a little over a week ago. I'm married to a wonderful man, who is very tall, gentle, hilarious, has piercing green eyes, a big fluffy beard, and has a huge heart that is dedicated to serving The Lord.

Very shortly after I was married I realized that even though I was married and found my soul mate and as wonderful as Michael is he could not complete me. I "knew" this before I was married but never really grasped it later. Even recently I'm still learning I can't find my identity in my husband or expect him or anything else to fully complete me. And I have a tendency to look at other things without realizing it's harmful to my heart. When I end up realizing I haven't kept my gaze on Jesus, I always end up feeling empty, sad and searching for more and getting myself into trouble. Whenever this happens I always end up coming back to the same spot of repentance and wanting to know more about God's heart. Isn't it so awesome that no matter how far we veer from the narrow path God forgives us and still loves us? We can have a fresh new start everyday because of the grace The Lord has given us through His son Jesus. I think that's insane! And something we should remember daily. Anything on this earth that will perish will leave you feeling empty. Therefore everything we do without God is in vein. Because He is everlasting!


"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Matthew 6:19-21