Treasure Hunt Tuesday: Remembering Grace Upon Grace

This past week has been filled with the best kinds of treasures. In sharing a few of them here, I’m hoping your heart may be stirred to think of similar provisions in your own life and thank God for those as well. So I’m inviting you to join me in looking back a bit…

First, I think of Wednesday night sitting on unfinished floors in our church’s recently acquired building. Our youth group gathered to pray and to write Scriptures and prayers on the concrete before it is covered with new flooring. Listening to our junior high and high school students pray and seeing some of the verses they chose to write were amazing treasures indeed. I love being able to catch glimpses of how God is working in their lives and in His church.

Then my mind turns to Thursday afternoon celebrating a special day for one of our regular grief support attendees. Seeing his heart of gratitude at the recognition as well as his progress and growth along this difficult journey reminded me how purposeful small gestures can be and also how helpful it is to come together consistently to share common struggles with others, even if it’s only once a month.

Later that night I enjoyed the extra treasure of getting together with a special group of “chicks” to work on an outreach project and also enjoy time just to visit with each other. I can’t even remember the last time I laughed so hard… but I’m guessing it was probably another event with that same group of ladies!

But here’s what hit me in looking back over the above treasured moments:

Almost all of the people involved who brought such joy to my heart were ones I didn’t even know five and a half years ago, and some I’ve only met in the past year or less. Never would I have imagined God’s provision and grace through some of my most difficult life transitions and losses. But looking back floods my heart with thanksgiving.

Then my gratitude overflowed even more this past weekend as I’ve been reminded of grace upon grace in celebrations with families who have been part of my life for well over a decade, and some even more. A few graduation parties plus a special visit with a new baby all brought such joy to fill my heart. While I don’t have children of my own, I have loved being connected with friends who have let me share in the lives of theirs. Watching them grow into young adulthood and seeing how God keeps moving in their hearts are gifts that make words feel completely inadequate.

Yet with all my feeble attempts, I’m writing down these blessings to remind myself as well as you of how God provides in ways beyond what we would even think to ask. I’m sure I’m going to need the reminders again, too. Graduations and changes of seasons remind me that school-age years aren’t the only times for transitions. And somehow transitions have a way of bringing back uncertainties, questions, and trepidations.

What will the next season be like? 

How will God provide now? 

Which direction should I go?

But over and over again, I come back to the exhortation I’m sure I’ve shared before but always want in the forefront of my mind:

When there is much I don’t know, I want to remember what I do.

When I don’t know how God will provide, I want to remember how He has provided in the past, throughout Scripture and throughout my life.

So I recount His blessings and the unchanging nature of God’s character–His love, His grace, His sovereignty, and His justice. He never fails. So my heart swells with fresh hope and trust. It’s my prayer that yours will, too.

These songs flood my heart with great reminders in that direction, too:

He’s Always Been Faithful  by Sara Groves

Remember to Remember by Steven Curtis Chapman

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~Romans 15:13 (NIV)

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” ~Ephesians 3:20-21 (NASB)

I’d always love to hear from you as well! Who are some of the people God has used to encourage you lately? Or what unexpected events have reminded you of His faithfulness? Please feel free to share any treasures or reminders that have been encouraging to your heart. You can leave a comment anytime, or send me a message on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.