Everyone, I have an announcement:  I am SO sorry about the difficulties we’ve been having with getting our posts up on time! This post somehow did not make it up on the 7th so here it is. Again, we apologize!

Now, on to Kayla’s post!

I don’t know about you, but, since we just entered into a new year, a lot has been on my mind wondering what this year will hold.

Reviewing and remembering the memories of ups and downs from last year I usually am looking forward to entering a new year. It brings freshness and excitement . This year I initially didn’t feel excited or motivated. I felt overwhelmed by the idea of starting the year with new goals. I asked myself, “why do I feel this way? I am usually excited about this fresh start. Why do I fear what is ahead? Why am I scared of change? Why do I feel unprepared to embrace what I am called to do?” As I thought more about this God transformed my feelings of fear, failure and depression. They sometimes creep back in but when they do, I need to be reminded of how GOOD God is, and of the exceeding riches of His grace in MY life. When I have that perspective I am aware of God’s grace toward me and the fact that God can use ME, and there is MUCH joy!

“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7

This verse speaks about the riches of His kindness and grace that we will see in ages to come. But why would we wait to recognize the grace He bestows on us till we get to heaven? Jesus wants to show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us NOW. He wants us to live in that grace. I have seen Him pour those exceeding riches of His grace on me. It doesn’t mean life will be perfect or be all roses from here. Looking back at past times in my life it may have been hard, or not the ideal situation, but God is faithful and has never failed me. This year I want to recognize the daily moments in life that show me of the grace and kindness God has toward me. I know for me, I don’t acknowledge those little things and then when something happens drastically right in front of me, then I recognize God’s grace. A few months ago I was in a car accident where I could have been seriously hurt or my life taken, but I only experienced a few bruises. I look at that and say “Wow, how gracious God was to protect me.” Did I deserve protection? No, but God’s grace and kindness was poured out on me. Sometimes it takes things like that to proclaim God’s grace but do we recognize it in the daily little things in life? Do we continue to proclaim his Grace and kindness in the days to come? Or do we forget what He has done?

“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.” Deuteronomy 7:9

I say all this because we can get caught up in the moment and not look at the big picture; not recognize who God really is. “He is God the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments…”

As God shows that grace to us in the days to come (day by day, minute by minute), ask yourself if you are trusting His faithfulness and believing that His grace and kindness are toward us. When fear, or trouble are in front of us do we realize that “God is rich in grace and kindness toward us.”?
Without Jesus and the grace He has towards us, we would have no hope, no life.

Claim God’s Grace. Be still in God’s Grace. Cherish God’s Grace. So we can proclaim the greatness of our God in the days to come!

“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7

~Kayla