**Welcome to my Glorygram! If you're new around here, welcome to my table! Pull up a chair and join me for a bowl of my daughter’s favorite Italian Sausage & Kale Soup! Each week I write this letter as an arrow pointing you back to God's glory and the ways He is working in our world. I use this space to get to know you better so please introduce yourself and share your stories in the comments too!
The guitar notes weaved together with the harmonious voices of 60-some women from diverse backgrounds who surrounded me. We lifted our hands and hearts toward heaven as we sang the words to Matt Redman’s worship song: “May I never lose the wonder of your mercy.”
My heart swelled as I saw the deep joy dancing across their cheeks as they sang. From young adults to mamas of kitties to seasoned grandmas, these women came together for a weekend retreat in California’s redwoods. I had the privilege of serving as the retreat speaker. Together we explored what it means to be women of mercy and justice based on my Bible study, Create in Me a Heart of Mercy.
Little did I know that God would use this weekend to bolster my faith and renew my calling to share His heart for mercy and justice.
Mercy is reaching out to meet a need without considering the merit of the person who receives the aid. God’s mercy was in sending His Son to die and adopting us into His family. Jesus Christ embodied mercy for each of us when He went to the cross as a substitute for our sins and rose again on the third day. If we believe and receive that mercy, we get to enjoy eternity with Him. It’s not something we deserve on our own accord, but a gift to be unwrapped by God’s children.
The apostle Paul reminds us of this truth:
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved…” (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV)
Saturday afternoon I sat among the redwood trees at the Henry Cowell State Park just a few minutes from Mount Hermon. This was a sacred hour of solitude, savoring the hush of the forest. I found myself encircled by a lush blanket of green, holding me close like a long hug.
My soul felt peaceful, rested. That in itself was a miracle given the mayhem of the last few weeks. I went into the weekend feeling depleted and overwhelmed.
Somehow I was filled with a quiet delight, feasting on the beauty of creation. Light streamed through the web of branches. My eyes could not help but chase up the ruddy bark of the great redwood trees that pointed toward heaven.
Redwood trees always preach a sermon to me. Redwoods grow in circles or clusters. Beneath the surface, these trees have widespread roots that intertwine with the other trees around them. These interwoven root systems provide stability to these mighty trees during strong winds and floods. I imagine these trees holding hands under the soil. They quite literally work together to hold one another up.
As I interacted with the women of Canyon Creek Church this weekend, I saw that the same was true of them. Story after story, testimony after testimony, bore witness to this truth that we are stronger in community. I saw the way these women served and learned together.
Women who were widowed, who had endured divorce, who weathered sickness, who traversed trials, harbored hurts and hang ups, shared honestly. They prayed and cried and belly laughed. They went on a treasure hunt through scripture with me as we learned about the women of the Bible who also received God’s miraculous mercy and learned to multiply it in meaningful ways to the community.
Today, I hugged dozens of necks and waved goodbye to the redwood trees. Women I met only two days ago have become trusted sisters. I am reminded that God uniquely refreshes our souls through His people.
May I never lose the wonder of His mercy.
How have you experienced His mercy and grace this week?
Glory recommendations
Each week I like to share links to some of my own work or resources that are inspiring me and my family to chase after God’s glory! Here are five for you to check out this week:
Every month I like to introduce you to a new book that I offer as a giveaway! The March giveaway book is actually my favorite book of all time - the Bible. I’m giving away a Bible in the CSB translation. This is a single-column, personal-sized Bible that’s easy to carry with a ribbon marker for easy referencing, concordance and full-color maps. CSB captures the Bible’s original meaning without sacrificing clarity, making it easier to engage with Scripture’s life-transforming message and to share it with others. Comment below and let me know why you are interested in winning this one!
It’s actually okay if you’re not strong. Jesus will give you His strength. One way we learn to rely on the strength of God is remembering who He is and what He has done. When we actively recall God's faithfulness in the past, we gain strength for the future. Remembering God is 1 of 10 powerful themes in 100 Days of Strength in Any Struggle. You’ll discover where strength really comes from―Jesus, who holds everything together. You are stronger than you think because God is closer than you know. I am part of the (in)courage online community of writers who share their stories in this newly-released devotional journal. Order it today!
If you or someone you love is navigating grief in this season, check out my new devotional journal, Breathing Through Grief. This comforting, giftable journal is for those who are processing their own loss, whether loss of a loved one, a season of life or a community. Let the words and prompts in Breathing Through Grief encourage you with the knowledge that you are not alone and bring you peace as you continue forward on the road to healing.
My new children’s book, Kailani’s Gift, launches April 16, 2024. Kailani’s Gift is a children’s book about the celebration of family, Filipino heritage, and the traditional Filipino folk dance, tinkling, that showcases the value of patience, perseverance, and blessing others with your gifts and talents. I’m looking for friends, educators, ministry leaders, who would be willing to help me get the word out about it. Sign up here for a free copy of the book and to join my launch team. Also, if any of you would be interested in featuring the book or a conversation on your podcast, blog, or Substack, I’d love to connect! This book is about using our God-given gifts and talents to bless others.
Friend, I’m so grateful you are a part of my Glorygram tribe! For the past eight years, I've been sharing reflections and resources on grief, running, leadership, food, family, and faith. I count it an incredible privilege to connect with each of you through this Glorygram. And now I’m offering a paid subscription to this newsletter with all the bells and whistles! For $50 per year (or $5 a month), you'll gain access to my full archive, bonus posts, recipes, and my coming Lent devotional! While the free weekly emails will continue, our subscription-only content will be an extension of the foundation we've built together. My goal is always to help you continue to chase God’s glory in your everyday lives.
To subscribe and unlock this exclusive content, simply hit the Subscribe Now button and choose what level you’d like. Founding members will also get a personalized, signed copy of one of my books! (Thank you to so many of you who have already generously given!) I am so grateful for all of your prayers and support!
❤️ Gods word‼️
This is great! So glad you could speak and encourage the women of Canyon Creek!