I have always loved Chris Tomlin’s lyrics, “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free…” Not only are my chains of sin and death completely gone, but the pressure is off. No guilt, no shame. I am made perfect in Christ. Wow, Amazing to think about. But that is exactly where I was left convicted today. (Good thing God’s grace even covers my hypocrisy!)
I was reading a book by Gary Thomas, Sacred Influence, that I was given at a Pastor’s Wives conference before we left Kentucky. He quotes Elyse Fitzpatrick, who after explaining the influence of God’s amazing grace on her life was replied to with this comment, “That must be such a blessing for your husband, Elyse. To be walking in that kind of grace must enable you to be so patient and so grace-filled with Phil. To know that God is working in him just as He’s working in you must make your marriage so sweet and your husband so pleased. It must be great for him to know that the pressure is off for him too.”
I realized that it is easy for me to grab onto the grace God extends to me, but then it is much harder to extend that same grace, that I so willingly receive, to others. And especially to Doug and my kids. I want my kids to obey right away, all the way, and ALL the time! I want Doug to never forget to take out the garbage! I want them to live up to my expectations while I am right in the midst of falling so, so short of what God calls me to be. I am thankful that God had enough grace on me today, to show me that His grace is not only for covering my sins, but for me to be able to cover over the sins of others. (1 Peter 4:8) Thank you, Jesus!














It arrived more quickly than we would’ve liked, but other than that, the first day of school was a great one for the girls. Both liked their new school,their new teachers and met several new friends. They had decided early this summer that they wanted to try a couple other new things: riding the bus and eating the school hot lunch. I asked, “How was the bus?” Lily responded with, “Weird, but fine.” I asked “How was lunch?” Emie responded, “I want to bring my lunch from now on!”

