Coffee with a side of Grace...

A brewed beverage typically consumed first thing in the morning derived from a bean, coupled with the love and mercy given to us by God.

Permission to just share and talk for a bit this morning Champions?

Recently I've had some time to do some personal inner self reflecting. I think possibly some can relate to where I'm going this morning? It doesn't matter whether you're a woman or a man, sometimes life comes at you, and it comes at you hard.

Society trys to program you into thinking you have to be more than enough. We wake early and go to bed late...but somehow the in between, the actual active part of our day, we get lost in the sauce.

We try to balance being husbands, wives, moms, dads, grandparents, friends, being good employees. We hold down jobs, careers, take care of our homes, possibly tend to aging parents or sick family members. We are cooks, chauffeurs, coaches, teachers. We try to balance it all and don't forget to toss in the need for proper diet and exercise. The list is endless and the pressure, let's face it...can be overwhelming in our strength.

One thing that I've come to realize is it's ok to breathe to take that mini sabbatical and regroup.

God knows I have made and still make my share of mistakes on a daily basis... but I also have several things to celebrate each day.

Those little nuggets of success...

a hug from my kids or grandkids. A smile received or given. A call or text of concern, a simple thank you. Yep, I'll take it.

I look back over the past year and the year before that, I see growth through grace. I thank God for always being there through it all, yes even on those days where I felt like I screwed up big time. He was there with open arms loving a sinner like me. I've experienced brokenness. I've experienced loss. I've experienced joy, love, and laughter. Oh and the tears, both happy and sad. With God's grace, I'm still standing. I still show up everyday and do the best I can.

Maybe, just maybe you can relate to some of the things I have mentioned and you can put your name in the I spots?

I'll close with this...when you feel like you're drowning in all of what this world throws at you, trust and believe that you are enough. Hold on tight to the hand of Almighty God and watch what He can do in and through you. Embrace His amazing grace and take time to have that cup of coffee. You are enough!

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.