Cope to Hope: Day 8

Friends,

Has grace visited you yet?  Man, I hope so.

In the Bible, grace is this overwhelming concept of God’s love, mercy, and compassion freely given to you through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You do nothing to earn it but it’s given to us because He loves us that much.  

Whether you believe it or not, grace has visited you because everyone has experienced some joy in their lifetime.   Nonetheless, without knowing Jesus and what He has done, we get distracted and complacent that this world is what the universe has for us.

With that as your reality, we are enslaved into our circumstances and emotions- set to live a rollercoaster lifestyle of come what may….in hopes to just survive.

Through grace, we have freedom to experience joy and see good in the midst of tragedy and trial- shoot, in the midst of the failures and setbacks of our days.

My favorite memory of Sabrina is when she came to visit me after camp this summer.  She came with Summer (her go-to gal) to Suffolk to tell me how much fun she had.  I asked her, “ Sabrina, you down with team Jesus?”  She smiled and laughed at my kitchen table and said (with her hands pumping high)  “Woot, Woot.  Yeah Jesus.”  We all laughed and I said “Well, okay!”

Actually, that was the start of God’s grace through you, Sabrina, in my life.  I hated leaving you and your friends in Great Bridge.   I knew the distance would be a struggle and, it was even harder, since Suffolk is technically still Hampton Roads.  I really didn’t know if any of you would keep in touch and, you, Sabrina, being the quietest of them all- reaching out- meant the WORLD.

Through the year, you kept loving me and I really appreciate that.  I was “balls to the wall” busy with my new life of working, two kids, pregnant, and commuting- but you texted me more this year than any of the three years prior.  You asked me to write your college recommendation-  I LOVED it.  You would just text to see how things were going and to tell me you missed me.  Man, instant smile for sure- even if my response was hours later.  Your last texts:  letting me know you were a Hokie (so proud) and asking me if I was coming to graduation- now, I wish I gave you an answer for that one.  But, you have to know- I felt loved.

Though I was farthest away from you, you chose to love me and include me in your life still.  I account all of that to God’s grace.  I see it girl.  I see God’s grace working through your life. 

If you thought you were fierce before Christ, girl you  are such a shining star now.  Thanks for fighting for us- thanks for loving us in your fight for life. 

Love you. Always,

Crystal