Whoa.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. - Romans 8:31-34

My church has been memorizing Romans 8 during Lent, so I've been dutifully following along because I always do precisely what I'm told.

Seriously, though, memorizing this chapter has been one of the most edifying things I've ever done. Every morning (well, not quite every morning) I memorize a new verse; then while I drive to work I start at the beginning and quote as much as I can. It's changed my mornings. My commute, although a brief one, has always been marked by the stress of running late and feeling guilty about it. Now instead of berating myself with a list of "should haves" I begin my day with "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." I need it every time.

As I was working on today's verses (33 & 34, since I didn't get around to it yesterday), I was stopped short by the impossibility of it all. Christ himself is interceding for me? God graciously gives me all things? Who am I to deserve all this?

The questions I ask in unguarded moments are the most telling. Who am I to deserve all this? Silly girl – that's why it's called "grace."

Seriously: whoa.

Journal Entry: Newly Sprung, Part 2

The latest from the handwritten log, or "nlog", of the happenings, prayers, and thoughts of my life.

Sat, April 9

Spring has officially arrived. Today I celebrated by cheering at the Goose Creek 5K for the fourth consecutive year, eating our community brunch, playing football in the rain, playing cards outside a coffee shop. And now I'm flopped on my belly on my quilt in my backyard, surrounded by violets – and by students, similarly situated, studying, resting, pursuing the Lord.

Have I mentioned that I love my life? Have I mentioned how fulfilled I am right now in my calling? This past week was busier, if possible, than the one before, and the grace to enjoy has been as thickly distributed as these violets.

I prefer nlogging to blogging, but I'd like it even better if it provided a simple way to upload relevant images, such as these:

Newly Sprung

Maybe it was the ten days I spent on the Mediterranean coast in February, but I wasn't craving spring yet when it showed up. The daffodils started smiling and nodding at me from the side of the road long before I thought to look for them. And the first violet? I didn't have to seek her out; she came to me in the fist of my favorite 12-year-old, and she didn't come alone.

The violets are everywhere, generously sprinkled outside my workplace, a pool of purple by the gate where I live. And I'm reminded of a God who gives grace upon grace. I'm not in survival mode; in the midst of chaos and clamor, I'm thriving. How many times have I heard it said, "He gives grace not just to endure, but to enjoy"? How many times have I said it to others? How many times have I grit my teeth and just endured?

But now by his grace I'm newly alive, facing greater challenges but somehow loving my life and my calling more than ever, convinced that he withholds no good thing.