Grace and Springtime

I feel ready for Spring, it just makes me think of new and good things coming.  A friend of mine talks a lot about how God is doing new and good things and has good things on the way for us.  I like that, because in the past I have lived under a lot of depressed feelings, suffering under the idea that things would never get any better but only worse.  But God is always about uplifting, restoring, helping and bringing hope. There is always the hope of Springtime and new vitality with Him!  I love that!

It reminds me of a verse I read recently: You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing.  There shall be shouts of joy and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.  (I'm writing that verse from Is 55, I think it is, from memory, so it may be paraphrased a bit.)  He is leading us forth into joy and peace!

To me, His grace means He is with us no matter what hard or dark times we go through, even if we bring them onto ourselves sometimes. Doesn't matter.  He won't leave us when we're down!  He loves and accepts us just the same as always and we're still His righteous, beloved children.

And grace gets even better than that!  To me, His grace also means He doesn't just stick with us in the hard moments, when we feel we've been overwhelmed with bitter cold and dark winter.  Grace also means He lifts us up and brings Spring healing to our hearts!  He breaks through the darkness with His loving, powerful Spirit of Life and Grace and Glory!  He overcomes the darkness and drives it away!  He lifts us up on our feet again, brings us out into Spring meadows where we can run free and  shout His praise!  All a gift of grace..

Thank You for Your grace, Lord, that accepts us no matter what and empowers us over everything that comes our way!  It's like grace is just another word for YOU, working in us through Your dear Spirit, bringing us to enjoy the close and loving Communion with You, our Father, that Jesus bought for us, and also bringing out the very Life and Victory of the Son that He won for us on the Cross!