all's grace.

I  see it at the end of Ann's posts. Two little words that stick with me.  I hadn't given much thought to it before Wednesday.  Really thought about it. And then we're talking about grace and peace in church and during the middle of the message, this post from (in)courage from months ago pops in my head and I can't wait to get home and watch the video because I had never watched it.

Since Wednesday night I'm quite sure I have listened to this song at least 50 times. At least. It's convicting.

The past two or three weeks I've felt absolutely drained. Of everything. I felt as if I reached the bottom of the job-hunting barrel and I couldn't go any deeper. As if the babysitting weren't just a season. That I was never going to get a real job. This would be my lot. Forever. It's frustrating when you're not hired for the jobs that you're overqualified for. That you don't hear back from the jobs that you are perfectly qualified for.

Completely worn down.

That was me.

God and I have had some talks and there have been tears and the asking of when is this ever going to end and the waiting for an answer. I've seen Him answer other prayers (we'll get to that when I'm not so close to the situation), and I just wonder, when is this question, the job one, when is it going to be answered? I read something in my Bible study Monday that said "God can deliver anyone from anything at any time." and I hate that the thought in my head was, "When am I going to be delivered from this situation?"

My mind goes back to grace. I search the web and I find this verse -

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." - II Cor. 9:8 

And I stop because I realize that all IS grace. That I'm not working out of a deficiency, but rather an overflowing sufficiency. That I will be able to complete what I need to because He is giving me the grace. It's not coming from me.

So the barrel that I thought I was at the bottom of? I guess God picked me out of it and put me in a different one. And if I get to the bottom of this barrel? He'll put me in another one.

Or maybe it's not a barrel at all but an ocean of grace that I'll never really reach the bottom of.

I think that's more like it.

Now it's just a matter of remembering it.




All's Grace from Shaun Groves on Vimeo.

what i learned from france...

I think we all may know how I absolutely love (in)courage.

It.

Is. 

Awesome. 

Sauce. 

And fortunate little me received the opportunity to be a daily guest blogger over there. 

Today! 

So head on over there and read about what I learned from France.

Or Disney. 

Whatever.

:)

P.S. I've never actually been to France. I bet my mom was really confused for a second.

:)

the reason it has been crickets around here...

Two weeks ago started Vacation Bible School at our church. 

And the nieces from out of town were here. 

So there was a lot of this.

And a little of this. 

{That's ice cream, btw.} 

And of course, purses from Aunt Sarah in the Philippines. :) 

Which, I think the purses are actually from China. 

Just go with it. 

 

Then last week was my trip to the beach. 

So there was a lot of this. 

And a little bit of this. 

 

And this view every morning. {Apart from the three that it rained.}

The complete lack of cell service and the whole watching kids thing kind of kept me from doing anything that took more than 2 minutes. Which means my poor Google Reader has 91 unread posts in it. 

91.

I think it may just attack me. 

:-/ 

But I have some exciting news tomorrow. :) 

Yay for that! 

Hope y'all have had a fantabulous two weeks. 

Full of fun things and sunshine. 

P.S. I normally take WAY too many pictures. An entire 7 days at the beach? 

I took 10. 

10!

Ridiculous! I think this may be an all-time low. 

Or actually that's probably the time I went to Disney World and took two pictures. 

Long story.

please be my strength

The words to this song just hit me like a ton of bricks when doing my Bible study last night. Through this entire ordeal, I've just felt like there are days where my faith is sorely lacking and I can. not. take another step, make another decision, or speak another word. When that happens, all I know to do is call out to God. Sometimes it sounds like this.  

I've tried to stand my ground
I've tried to understand
but I can't seem to find my faith again

like water on the sand
or grasping at the wind
I keep on falling short


please be my strength
please be my strength
I don't have anymore
I don't have anymore


I'm looking for a place
where I can plant my faith
one thing I know for sure


I cannot create it
I cannot sustain it
It’s Your love that’s keeping me


please be my strength
please be my strength
I don't have anymore
I don't have anymore


at my final breath
I hope that I can say
I've fought the good fight of faith


I pray Your glory shines

in this doubting heart of mine
and all would know that You


You are my strength

You are my strength
You and You alone
Keep bringin me back home

You are my strength

You are my strength
You and You alone
Keep bringin me back home

You and You alone
Keep bringin me back home