Today is my younger son's birthday. Davis is a tall, strong, focused, God-loving, now 17 year-old young man. We look forward to celebrating him on this special day. As his momma, I cherish the fact that his life goes on...And also today, we will celebrate Christmas with my extended family five days "late." Brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, and grandparents will all gather around the table for yummy food, much conversation, lots of laughs, and maybe even some tears. I look forward to this time together, and am thankful for the birth of our Savior. Because of this gift at Christmas, life goes on...And then also today, we will bury my grandmother. The same family members that gather around the dinner table will also honor a beautiful, playful, carefree woman who lived life to the fullest measure, until she couldn't. We will all celebrate her together, and rejoice that her life goes on...John 1:4 says, In Him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of men.Today, I have both joy and peace in Jesus Christ. HE.... IS.... LIFE.Because of His life, birthdays and seasonal celebrations, and yes, even funerals are filled with hope beyond this present moment. An eternal weight of glory is ahead of us!Jesus says, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25). Today, I rejoice because our family believes this, and we are all confident that because of Christ...Life will go on... and on... and on...

It's Monday morning, the beginning of another day, another week. Truth be known, my first thought when I woke up this morning was "ugh." After a fun family weekend out of town visiting our son Bink at UT, I am faced with the dailyness of life once again: laundry, groceries, bills, schedules for all under this roof, writing/teaching deadlines, coaching, lalalalala. I am certain each of you can identify; your list may be triple mine! Like I said...ugh.It's times like this that I must remember to seek the daily grace of God amidst the daily grind. Over the years, I have learned to recognize places where "God shows up" throughout my dutiful day, simply to bless me with His gifts of love. To mention only a few:In the early morning, when it's still dark outside and there is no noise inside, I get my warm cup of coffee and the rich word of God, and I sit, quietly, securely, hopefully, expectantly. In this place, I am always satisfied with His invading love. Daily grace number one.When I'm driving, whether it's errands or carpool or to a meeting, and my mind begins to weaken with the worries of the world, I intentionally press the button on my radio. I then hear a song with lyrics full of truth; the words remind me that God is in control, and that He loves the people that I love (and "O How He loves us!"). I am at peace once again. Daily grace number two.In the evening, after wondering about and then working on the (sorta) yummy menu on the dinner table, I look around at the blessings...food, family, friends from afar, fellowship. My husband, my two kids still at home, a French exchange student, and I share conversation and laughter. Joy fills my heart. Daily grace number three.If I were to count all the daily graces between these three mentioned above, they would surely outnumber the list of my daily grinds! So, I have a decision to make, which list contols my mindset, my spirit? In order to be any kind of influence for Christ to those around me, I must choose to focus on the heavenly while doing the earthly. In so doing, I can rest in His promise each and every day, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (II Cor. 12:9).It's later Monday morning now as I finish up this post, which is actually what started my "ugh" mentatlity. (Sometimes I suffer from writer's block...UGH!!). But I am now thankful to say, I have once again experienced God's daily grace amidst my daily grind. Thank you Jesus, for always showing up.