Thoughts on grace for a new year...

Well, the new year will be here tonight, and what a time for contemplation. God has been so good to me. When 2008 began, meeting with Dr. Ripps (in January) I was told that the road of infertility is long and hard. I had no idea if or when we would be able to conceive. It had already been 2 years of tests and medications and it seemed like no one could or really was even interested in helping us have a baby. There comes a point in everyone's life where you must realize that no one can pray enough for you, no one can say enough words to encourage you, no one can have enough faith to help you. Either your faith is real, or it's not. I realized that God loves me, he loves me so much that he sent his SON as a sacrifice for my sin. If he loves me that much, then he loves me enough to listen every time my heart is broken. He loves me enough to hurt with me when I just don't understand. I'm not saying that this year hasn't been hard. I've had to fight away horrible ugly feelings and questions that were not mine to ask. It's not easy to understand why God gives children so easily to some people who don't care for them or care anything about God. It's even harder to understand when a follower of Christ longs for a child and would raise that child for his glory, and it just doesn't happen. Throughout all of the heartache and all the pain God has given me such peace in the times when I needed it most. My relationship with God has changed. I've had to rely on him, because I came to understand that man could not bring me peace. Men, in all their wisdom couldn't guarantee me a child, and they definitely couldn't help me cope if it never happened. Only God could fulfill my desire for a child, or comfort and calm my heart if that was never to happen. God has been my best friend this year, the one who knows all my secrets and still loves me and wants a relationship with me. I have to praise and thank him for blessing us with this baby, but even more I must thank him for being with me through the trial. For his peace that passes all understanding. You really don't fully comprehend what that verse means until you've been through a valley. My Pastor recently preached a sermon on Grace, and I'd like to share a few thoughts from it with you: -Grace is God giving to us something we need, that we'll never be able to get on our own. -Grace is what you get before you get the good news, it is what sustains you -Grace gives hope when there is no hope -Grace makes us stronger -Many times grace is the only answer -We need God's grace constantly and we receive it consistently 2 Corinthians 12:9- And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. No matter what the New Year brings, God's grace is available and plenteous to us. I have experienced first hand this grace, and I hope that his strength will be made perfect in my weakness. I pray God's blessings on you all during this new year, and that your desires will be fulfilled. Love to you all. -Shauna