I am delighted to introduce to you a woman I first met at a writer's conference, author and speaker, Nancy Grace. Since then, she has finished a labor of love and grace so appropriately entitled "The Grace Impact". Nancy stops by today on her Blog Tour to share a portion of her soon to be released "The Grace Impact". It is an honor to present to you... Nancy Kay Grace.
~~♥~~
God’s love
comforts, strengthens, and restores our weary hearts. He reaches us in our
despair and brings peace and a new perspective.
Below is an excerpt from The Grace Impact, p.37-40.
~~♥~~
Everyday blessings are easy to take for granted—blossoming trees
awakening in the spring, bright sunshine warming the air after a chilly rain,
laughter shared with friends. Each of these gifts needs to be savored and
enjoyed, but all too often we overlook them to rush to the next event on our calendars.
Disruptions of our fast-passed life can force us to slow down and notice
the simple joys. A phone call from a doctor’s office can disrupt a quiet day
and change your life, as it did mine.
”I have some good news and some bad news.” The doctor’s calm voice
sounded serious. He had my attention. I sat at the kitchen table and picked up
a pen to write what he would tell me.
“The bad news is that it’s cancer, but the good news is that we got it
all and it’s very treatable.”
He explained the diagnosis, but my mind froze on his first statement. Cancer? I choked back tears. Tongue cancer? Because of the stitches
and swelling in my tongue, I struggled to form words as my mind flooded with
questions.
After hanging up, I thought about how I had gotten to this point. It had
begun with a sore on my tongue that would not heal. Eventually the dentist
referred me to an oral surgeon who removed the affected tissue. Because I
didn’t fit the profile of one at risk for oral cancer, he almost didn’t send it
off for a biopsy. Although all the tissue was removed, I had to face the fact
that I had cancer.
That evening I plopped onto my bed in despair. Desperately I called out
to God in my spirit with tears streaming down my face. Weary and restless, I
move to my piano where I played hymns and prayed through my fingers. In those
moments of worship, a gentle but powerful exchange occurred in my heart as I
released my anxiety. God gave me special assurance—a deeper peace than I had
ever known. The Lord accepted my “what if” questions and replaced them with the
precious affirmation of His love. The grace of God’s love would sustain me in
this health crisis. I had found an inner sanctuary that became my refuge.
In the following weeks, I had to retrain my tongue to say some words, for
a while my name was “Nanthy Gwathe.” I pulled back from my church activities to
sort out the confusion of the unexpected diagnosis. My speaking ministry was
put on hold. Jesus became my safe hiding place. Intentional time spent reading
Scripture, praying, and journaling brought steady healing to my soul. I gained
perspective that God would use this trial for His Good. God’s love was shown in
the kindness of family and encouragement for friends. In my uncertainty and
despair the God of the universe did not remain far off, but gave me His peace
and assurance in the shelter of His love. I again realized I didn’t have to do
anything to be loved; I could only accept God’s love. Resting in the refuge of
God brought a deeper awareness of His love for me.
As a result, I have become more aware of the need to slow down and
treasure the everyday blessing like a cardinal’s song, a butterfly on a flower,
or the hug of a child.
The cancer experience has also strengthened my resolve to use my faltering
tongue to proclaim the good news and hope of Jesus Christ.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love, I
have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3b
God sent His son, Jesus, out of love for us, to bring us back into
relationship with Him. He loves each of us with an everlasting love. Nothing
can separate us from His love. Even in hard times His love carries us.
Savor the impact of grace when you take time
to allow your thoughts to linger on God’s awesome love. Bask in the truth of
knowing you are loved more than you ever thought possible.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Nancy Kay Grace is captivated by God’s grace
and love to share about embracing it is everyday life. She has contributed
stories to several anthologies and published magazine articles. Nancy is
married to her best friend, Rick, who is a senior pastor in northwest Arkansas.
They have served the Lord for more that forty year, seeing His grace at work in
many countries. Now they enjoy the stage of life with two married children and
an increasing number of grandchildren.
In a
few months, Nancy will be hosting an online Bible study using The Grace
Impact. If you are interested in more information about this
opportunity, please sign up for her GraceNotes newsletter at http://www.nancykaygrace.com.
Find speaker and author Nancy Kay Grace at:
