Extraordinary Grace

About a year and a half ago on June 15, 2011, I read an incredibly moving devotional in Oswald chamber's My Utmost for His Highest. I have been a big Chambers fan for as long as I can remember but this particular devotion entitled "Get moving," especially grabbed my attention that summer day. You see, for a while now I have wanted to start a blog, yet struggled with what to call my blog, what to write about, how to write about daily life without it sounding mundane or sounding like I thought I had it all figured out. As I went through daily life I would think, "If I had a blog, I would xyz today." But then I would go back to thinking, "who in the world would even care to read my blog," and I would let thoughts from the enemy stop me from following through on starting a blog.

Until one day, June 15, 2011, I came upon Chambers words, "We are not meant to be seen as God's perfect bright-shining examples, but to be seen as the everyday essence of ordinary life exhibiting the miracle of His grace." The Lord told me that day to start a blog and to call it - Ordinary life, extraordinary grace.

Now, you are probably wondering why it has taken me almost a year and a half to obey Him. Well, I do hate to admit that I am slow to obey at times. And the other thing you must know about me is that I am what my husband calls "technologically challenged." yes, occasionally I do call him at work and ask him how to get to the Wii option on the tv or how to play a DVD. So the thought of creating and maintaining a blog was, needless to say, slightly intimidating. So with the help of a few sweet friends, here we are!!

I am beyond excited to be joining the blogosphere, and yet, if I'm completely honest, a little nervous. I have enjoyed reading blogs in recent years; however, there have been times when my oh so wise husband has lovingly encouraged me to "fast" from reading blogs. As women, well, as humans in general, and particularly as mamas, we have a tendency to compare ourselves with others. This can do one of two things - cause us to think too highly of ourselves or too low of ourselves, forgetting who we are in Christ.

I would read blogs and walk away thinking that I was the worst mother in the world because all I could accomplish in one day was taking a shower and keeping the kids alive, and sometimes not even that. The showering part that is.... While all those other moms had picture perfect homes and children, wonderfully fun AND highly educational games to play with their children, four course meals on the table at precisely 6 o'clock, all while organizing a fundraiser for a non-profit in their spare time and making gingerbread houses from scratch in less than 30 minutes.... You get the picture. I was comparing myself with everyone else's blog self which may or may not be their real self.

All of that to say, I want to be real and transparent. I do not pretend to have it all together, but I do know a great God who does!! We have wildly crazy days around here and lots of very ordinary days but in all of our mess, I try to constantly remind myself that we serve an extraordinary God who gives us His extraordinary grace!!

I pray that today, in whatever is ordinary for you, that you would see and praise God for His extraordinary grace!