Grace.

This word has a special place in my heart. For many reasons, this word will always be a major part of my life.

* Grace, my sweet girl, my aunt/niece/pretty much daughter depending on how I’ve introduced her to you. (she’s really my aunt, yes, she’s only four..long story) This girl. I cannot even begin to describe how important this girl is to my life. She saved me, she was and is my saving grace. When her daddy, my Pawpaw died, I didn’t think I was going to make it through, but that little girl, the little girl I helped raise – she was always there. She made me smile, she took my mind off of things, she gave me a reason to be strong. I still struggle, almost daily with not having Pawpaw in my life..and every time it creeps up in my mind, I wipe my tears away and I see her, I see Grace and I smile through the pain. She’s not with me, she’s at home, surrounded by the abundance of love (and children) at her house. She is my Grace, my saving Grace; and will forever be such a huge part of my life. *Also today is her birthday so Happy Birthday Princess, I love you*
* Grace. Graceful, something I’ve been called my entire life – served with a HUGE side of sarcasm. I get it from my mama, and well..every other woman in my family. This is probably a little silly to some, but my “gracefulness” is a constant reminder to me. What’s it remind me of? The fact that I’ll never become a tight rope walker, or a good walker in general honestly; but really, it reminds me of who I come from, of where I come from. I like to know that my family has strong genes. Our blue eyes, blonde hair, strong faith, and an innate amount of clumsiness. It is comforting to know that regardless of my last name changing, moving to a new town, embarking on an entire life of my own I still have my blue eyes, strong faith, and my abundance of grace.
* Grace. Just Grace. Our Lord has been so gracious to us. He’s sent his one and only son to die on the cross for us. He’s forgiven us for all of our sins. He’s even given us an entire book on how to live our life. I mean come on, he gave us a handbook!! He’s given us life, given us a purpose, and a future. He’s given us dogs..honestly what more could you ask for? In all seriousness, we’ve messed up. Again, it’s Katie speaking captain of the struggle bus, I know i’ve messed up – millions of times. I have lied, I have cheated, I have envied, and I could keep going. Yet, he still extends grace to us. He gives us another chance – he offers us forgiveness and redemption. How lucky are we?

Lord, thank you for being so gracious in SO many ways. Thank you for continually extending grace to us. Thank you for forgiving us, and redeeming us. Help us to extend grace to others – so that way can be more like you.

| For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 |