grace – Rev. Kris Mares

Gifts of Love

And I trust that through this all, God’s story is still being written. Still being written in us and through us. Still being written in the hearts of those who hear about what all has happened. Still being written in the hearts of those who have offered gifts of love.

How I Messed Up Mother’s Day

I wanted to be a grateful mother. I wanted to be an appreciative wife. I wanted to be good and do good. I even asked God for help. And then, I went and screwed it all up.

11 things

We’ve worked hard. We’ve loved hard. We’ve had friends praying hard. And we’ve laughed a little along the way.

You are invited…

Although I had forgotten, the invitation was still there. Although I had forgotten, Girlie was still living with my promise. Although I had forgotten, space was made for me to remember and be present and live into my promise.

Wild Daisies

Perhaps today you are struggling and wishing for a past time. A time when things were easier. A time when love seemed grander. A time when your spouse used to do little things just because. A time when making up was worth the fight. Maybe today you are struggling to recapture, to remember, to feel the love that once was, the sweetness that came so easily.

Snuggles

What we are faced with is providing an act of grace when we don’t want to. That’s the real question isn’t it? In that moment, when we want to just veg on our phone, yell out our frustration, finish the task at hand, pee in solitude (ok, maybe that’s not quite the same…), drink our coffee first before having to talk to anyone else but the kid just wet the bed…

Grace Breaking Through

And just like the paintings from last night, grace looks different on each of us. Grace looks different on me than it does on you.

#AmazingGrace

There is a hymn that many know: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. You might be able to hear the tune in your head when you read those words. You might be able to sing all 6 verses. Or, maybe you’ve never heard the song before. The story behindContinue reading “#AmazingGrace”

How DO I do it?

As a mom of many, I often get this comment “I don’t know how you do it!” or asked this question “How do you do it?” I always struggle with a response. Most of the time I want to say “I just do.” Sometimes I do say that. Sometimes I give some other short answerContinue reading “How DO I do it?”

My prayer for Jon and Kate

I, along with a friend, have felt called to pray for Jon and Kate Gosselin. You may know them from the TLC reality show Jon and Kate Plus 8. There has been a firestorm surrounding them lately. Their marriage is in trouble. I have been there. I understand the feelings. I understand the hurt andContinue reading “My prayer for Jon and Kate”