Grace is…

iStock_000011773050XSmallGRACE IS…

the unexplainable hope
that washes away
the accusing whispers that dance in the darkness
and hide behind the mirror
and say, “You need to be thinner
and thinner
and thinner.”

Grace…
is the light that calls you
toward something so good that you’re scared to trust it.
You might even ignore it at first,
thinking it’s not for you.
Instead,
you try to get better
and fix things on your own.
You try to be strong.
Confident.
Perfect.

But hours of 3:00 a.m. sit-ups,
calorie counting,
dieting,
scrutinizing,
and hiding,
will make a person fall.

Yet Grace…
is the mighty hand that will catch you
and promise you
that you don’t have to be
perfect.
That you are loved
exactly
the way you are.

Grace…
is the gentle voice that lifts your chin,
tugs at your heart,
and encourages you to believe.
And when you do,
Grace rains
and pours
and washes away
moments,
days,
years,
of worry and trying,
trying,
trying,
on your own.

Grace…
restores your dreams,
fills your heart,
melts your fear,
and opens your eyes
so that you are once again able to see the beauty
in the world
and in yourself.

Grace…
is the free gift from God
that has the power to heal,
to renew,
to deliver,
no matter what your struggle is.
If only you’ll let it.

Grace…
is the cross.

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

Thank you, God, for your grace that set me free from my struggle with an eating disorder those many years ago.

What has grace set you free from?

*post originally published at (in)courage.me

4 Responses to Grace is…
  1. Melissia
    June 2, 2013 | 12:18 pm

    Severe Anxiety THank you Jesus, for washing all that fear away:)

  2. Vicki
    June 3, 2013 | 3:50 pm

    SO thankful that He set me free from drug addiction, in a miraculous way even!

  3. Missy
    June 7, 2013 | 10:23 am

    Genny, the way you write of grace poured out and constantly available is an encouragement to this sinner’s soul. Thank you.

  4. Shaun Hoobler
    June 12, 2013 | 8:50 am

    Hi there Genny. Just thought I’d leave you a comment on this post (seemed as good as any) to say that I’ve read some of your posts and I’m enjoying the blog! Expect to see a few more comments from me! 😉