Sharon Jaynes Forgiveness, God's love, Uncategorized 12 Comments

When you Need A Little G-R-A-C-E

There it was.
Carved in wood.
The evidence could not be denied.

Anna dropped her kids off at school and then went home to clean up a bit. She removed a hairbrush, school papers and yesterday’s jewelry from her dresser. And there it was. She couldn’t believe her eyes.

A nail. And a name. L-i-l-l-i-a-n … carved into the top of her dresser’s walnut surface.

Seven-year-old L-i-l-l-i-a-n hadn’t even bothered to hide the weapon used to commit the crime. The nail lay just where she had left it. Right on the dresser by her name.

Sharon Jaynes Confidence in Christ, Enough, God's love, Trusting God 76 Comments

When Love Hurts

I’m a guest on Kathi Lipp’s Clutter Free Podcast today. Click here to listen in on our conversation about Enough and to download a free gift I’m offering her listeners. I’m also sharing over at Proverbs 31 today. I thought I’d share this poignant moment with you too. You might want to grab a tissue. “Mommy, Mommy,” Steven cried. “Don’t let them …

Sharon Jaynes A Sudden Glory, Dealing with Your Past, Dreams of a Woman, General Inspiration, God's love, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Uncategorized 9 Comments

When You Don’t Like the Story God is Writing

I often think of my life like a story God is writing…and so is yours. And to be honest, some parts of the story I don’t really like. If it were up to me, I would have written some of it differently. My second child would not have died, and I would have a daughter who would be 26 years …

Sharon Jaynes Expectant Living, God's love, Living Fully, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Trusting God, Uncategorized 29 Comments

Taking Hold When You Cannot See

He sat behind me in the Boeing headed west. Perhaps “sat” is not the right word. He didn’t speak, but I felt him rummaging about. Occasional kicks and pushes against the back of my seat let me know he was there. Little boy noises. Restless, “get me out of here” stirrings. And then I saw fingers. Five little feelers exploring …

Sharon Jaynes Expectant Living, Forgiveness, God's love, Living Free, Living Fully, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, Uncategorized 25 Comments

Changing the Ending to Your Story

My friend Bonnie and I followed the GPS along winding back roads of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I had been speaking at an event in the area, and felt drawn to this place I’d come to know as Amish Grace. Horse-drawn buggies with bearded drivers clippitty-clopped in front of us as if it were just another day. My stomach churned wondering what …

Sharon Jaynes A Sudden Glory, Dealing with Your Past, Forgiveness, General Inspiration, God's love, Living Free, Living Fully, Renewing your mind with the Truth, Trusting God 175 Comments

Let It Go! God Has.

Wow, I can’t believe it’s already mid-January. I hope you’ve been refreshed and revived with the start of a New Year. I love the word, “new”. Don’t you? Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV Today, I’m praising God for the newness …

Sharon Jaynes A Sudden Glory, Expectant Living, Forgiveness, God's love, Listening to God, Living Fully, Relationships 72 Comments

When It’s Hard to Take the Bad with the Good

I sat on my screened-in porch, taken aback with the beauty of the morning surrounding me. A layer of mist rose from the serene waters of the lake and hovered just above the surface. Rays of light slanting in from the east elongated shadows that all too soon would stand at attention in the noonday sun. Pampas grass plumes praised …

Sharon Jaynes Confidence in Christ, Expectant Living, God's love, Living Free, Living Fully, Uncategorized, Women in the Bible 10 Comments

Where is God When Women Feel Forgotten

Yesterday I blogged over at Ann Voskamp’s A Holy Experience. I thought you might enjoy the post. I hope you feel as loved as you are. She was beautiful. She was bright. And she was mad at God. I sat across the table picking at a salad and trying to digest Jan’s words. Her startlingly teal eyes were tinted with …

Sharon Jaynes Expectant Living, Forgiveness, General Inspiration, God's love, Living Free, Motherhood 8 Comments

G-R-A-C-E when you need it

There it was. Carved in wood. The evidence could not be denied. My niece, Anna, dropped her kids off at school and then went home to clean up a bit. She removed a hairbrush, school papers, and yesterday’s jewelry from her dresser. And there it was. She couldn’t believe her eyes. A nail. And a name. L-i-l-l-i-a-n…carved into the top of …

Sharon Jaynes A Sudden Glory, Dealing with Your Past, Expectant Living, Forgiveness, God's love, Living Free, Living Fully, Trusting God 36 Comments

When You Forget…Remember Grace

Ann. I just love her. In just the few years I’ve know her, she has taught me much about gracious, grace-filled living. My friend Jill has the privilege of being a companion to Ann two days a week. But Jill is more than a companion…she is Ann’s friend. Last week Ann called Jill in a panic. “Jill, there are birds …