Feb 02 2022 Moments of Grace

As I veered away from social media, I had more time to watch Netflix and read. Few of the things my friends and I talked about is reading ebooks. We bought some online from Lazada. Cheap ones with good reviews.

I remember an Ate who works in a bookstore and who always has a book recommendation for me since college. Ate Grasya, thankfully, is just a random message away. No need for a good-morning, are-you free-message kind type. I asked for an ebook recommendation and soon, I have a list on my tablet to read. 

I started with Moments of Grace. Foreword and first few pages gave me encouragements. In the introduction, it was written: 

I realized that the most outstanding moments of grace in my life are not those times of victory, but those moments of horrible vulnerability.

Talk about what I am going through and what I needed the most. His grace, during these times, is always mind blowing for me. For when I am at my most vulnerable state, I feel the awe of what grace can bring to me. 

The first chapter was about Seventy Years and Beyond, quoting the Word from Psalm 90:10. To note what has given me encouragement, it says:

While pain and trouble are the harsh facts of growing old, those who trust in the Lord Jesus will face these storms with Him. They face the fading years awaiting a blazing hope of a new beginning. They face life, not with self-propelled optimism but with solid faith in Christ.. Next is accepting that this is God's design; that God, in His grace, found us and is the same gracious Lord who will see us through.

Pain and troubles will always be part of life. As we are not of this world, we are being scarred by these things our soul despises. But the good news is that, we are not alone. While we seek refuge from man's companionship and listening ears, there's a big God who knows even the cries of our hearts, its bitterness, and still understands us fully. 

Whenever my mind is carried by sad thoughts, I put a balance on it by holding my chest where my heart is somehow located and utter prayers. I tell Him my thoughts and ask Him to change me from within. Change my perspective and help me get through. It isnt easy but once I open my heart to His promises, I begin to take refuge in it. 

I catch myself in this scenario multiple times in a day--I know I am now planting seeds of hope (even that of mustard seed) to the One who holds my heart, the One who holds the universe.