6 May
grace hoarder …
Hello, my name is Tracie and I’m a grace hoarder.
I sometimes wonder if there’s something wrong with me. Is it possible to take advantage of, or take grace for granted? Join me over at my friend Rivera’s place as I share my thoughts.
OH! and she’s also giving away a copy of 31 Days of Forgiveness!
Posted in 31 days of forgiveness, forgiveness, guest post
1 Apr
love is a sacrifice …
With Easter weekend behind us, I can’t help but feel the heavy conviction of any unforgiveness lingering in my own heart.
You see, it wasn’t nails holding Jesus on that cross … it was love.
And forgiveness flows from love. Jesus loved us enough to hang here until death. So we could live forgiven.
Love is a sacrifice.
Forgiveness is a sacrifice.
God sent His Son to die for our forgiveness — so we could live in freedom. While doing so, He also set a very important model for us.
If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. Matthew 6:14 NLT
Join me today at Mommy On Fire to read more of my thoughts on this very important heart matter.
Posted in 31 days of forgiveness, forgiveness, guest post
4 Feb
it’s here!!
It was last Tuesday and I’d waited all day. But it never came.
In the afternoon, I picked the girls up from the bus and took them to run some errands and out to dinner. It was dark when we’d returned and I’d sort of forgotten about it.
Almost.
Until I parked the car and looked to the front step and there it was …
my proof copy of 31 Days of Forgiveness!!!
Elation! Excitement! Disbelief! Anticipation!
Excitement! Excitement! Excitement!
Surrealness!
Total surrealness! My words … well, in all fairness, God’s words … but still! OUR words right there in front of me between a beautifully designed {thank you Erin!} front and back cover! Surrealness, right!?!
and ohmyheart!!!
When I took the book out of the packaging, Hunter — my package hound — grabbed it and exclaimed, “Is this your book?!”
“Yes babygirl, it’s mommy’s book!”
She ran back outside where my others were taking doggies potty, and showed each of them … with awe and excitement … it brought tears to my eyes to see how important it was to them. They know the hours of heart and soul I’ve poured into it and there they were treasuring it as if they’d just found a block of gold from the deep.
When Hunter showed it to Taylor, Tay looked straight at me {an important detail when we’re talking teens} full of awe and seriousness and said, “That’s really cool mom!”
The proof has been approved, details are being finalized, and 31 Days of Forgiveness {through the eyes of grace} will be launched this Wednesday {February 6}!!
I’ve got some FUN things planned for release day, so be sure to come back Wednesday for all the nitty-gritty — dare I say awesomesauce — details!!
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Posted in 31 days of forgiveness, forgiveness, writing
31 Oct
how do we know we’ve forgiven?
When God forgives, there is an immediate and
complete change in relationship.
Instead of hostility, there is love and acceptance.
Instead of enmity, there is friendship.
~ Billy Graham
In the deepest depths of our heart and soul, can we say we’ve truly forgiven someone?
A quick check might be to ask ourselves, “What does Jesus see?”
When my girls have misbehaved and try to cover it up with a lie, I ask them one simple question, not in judgment or condemnation—they don’t even need to give me an answer. The question is this, “What did Jesus see?” The fact is, it doesn’t matter if I know the truth or not, what’s important is they keep their hearts pure before the Lord.
Only God knows our hearts.
If Jesus were to look into our hearts, would He see true forgiveness?
Granted, forgiveness doesn’t always happen overnight. In most situations, forgiveness comes in stages and there’s nothing wrong with that. God knows our hearts and our heart-motives. So then, how do we know when we’ve truly forgiven?
Following are a few things to keep in mind:
- When we can wholly give the situation over to God.
Because let’s face it, sometimes we want to hold onto it and play it over and over in our minds. We want to talk about it, justify ourselves, and prove our point.
- When we can follow the command found in Matthew 5:44, “But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.”
Personally, I’ve been guilty of this. When an offense has happened to me, I don’t always immediately want to pray blessings over them and love them. But I know true forgiveness has come when the prayers finally come.
- We stop thinking about it. We forget the crime.
All I have to say is—thank goodness God doesn’t remember our transgressions. If He brought to mind every sin in my life over and over again . . . well let’s just say it would be a sorry life to live.
- Spiritually, an unexplainable peace finds its way into our hearts and minds.
- Physically, it feels as though a burden has been lifted.
I have multiple sclerosis and when I’m under the stress of a situation needing me to look through the eyes of grace, my symptoms start to flare. The worry and stress cause a physical reaction in my body. When I’ve truly forgiven, I feel a literal physical change in my body.
- Finally, I believe true forgiveness has come when we see the offender and can wish him/her well.
Father, I thank You—from the depths of my soul I thank You—for putting this series topic on my heart to write and share with others. Thank you for your great Word and lessons. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for being the perfect model of forgiveness. Thank you for the work you’ve done in our lives through this series.
Father, I pray lives are changed. I’m praying for a break-through for everyone who reads these words. I pray Lord we trust you with our everything and know You’ll be faithful, loving, and just.
In Your mighty name I pray,
Amen
####
Friends, I thank you for following along on this journey with me. I can’t believe it’s already come to an end. If there’s one thing I could encourage you with? If you’ve read this series over the last 31 days … I urge you not to get stuck on one particular day. I believe all 31 days are intertwined in your process. I hope you’ll pray over them, asking God to work and apply specific inspirations to your specific situations.
I’ll be taking a little break over the next few days, but hope to be back next week with a few resources/videos I’ve found on forgiveness.
If you’d like to keep up with 31 Days of Forgiveness, you can
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{read 31 days of forgiveness from the beginning}
Posted in 31 days of forgiveness, forgiveness
30 Oct
forgiveness is an act of faith
To be able to look into God’s face, and know with the knowledge
of faith that there is nothing between the soul and Him,
is to experience the fullest peace the soul can know.
Whatever else pardon may be, it is above all things admission
into full fellowship with God.
~ Charles H. Brent
Forgiveness is an act of faith, trusting God will bring freedom and allow healing, both in our lives and in the lives of others.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, believing God has commanded us to forgive.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, trusting God will work in our situations.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, allowing us to release our holds on each situation knowing God has greater plans.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, knowing God will handle any justice, mercy, or grace that needs to take place.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, trusting God will give us the power to forgive.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, trusting God will replace unforgiveness with peace.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, believing Jesus was sacrificed for our sins so we could live forgiven.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, when we choose to love instead of hate.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, when we pray blessings over those who persecute us.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, trusting redemption is probable.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, believing we’ll hold no record of wrongdoings.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, realizing it’s a gift money can’t buy.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, forgiving seven times seventy.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, knowing there’s no other option.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, believing in God’s unconditional, unending, and unfathomable love for us.
Forgiveness is an act of faith, believing forgiveness will bring us into full fellowship with God.
If you’d like to keep up with 31 Days of Forgiveness, you can
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{read 31 days of forgiveness from the beginning}
Posted in 31 days of forgiveness, forgiveness
