Grace upon Grace

Ever have that moment when you are thinking back over the last few weeks, months, or years and realize "Oh my goodness, God. Thank you".

A few days ago I started the task of writing out my testimony. I have written it out several times and every time I do, it changes. Not the basis of Christ saving me but everything after. Every time I think through my "story" the Lord reveals new ways he has worked in my life. As a sat at my kitchen table and wrote I almost began to weep. Now, keep in mind, this girl does not cry often! But my heart was so overwhelmed by the grace that God has lavishly covered me in.

But this is not just my story, this is everyone's story! God has lavishly covered every single one of us in grace upon grace upon grace. In Roman's 8:39 it is written, "Neither height not depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord".

Often it is easier to think, "No, I have done too much" or "I will never be enough" or whatever that "____________" is for you. But those are straight up lies. The enemy tricks us into believing those lies but God desperately loves you. Hear me loud and clear! The incredible creator of the universe loves YOU! Nothing can separate us from that love. Man, is God good or what?

Sometimes, I forget that.

But God being so abundant in his grace and love reminds me that He is there.

Immanuel. Meaning, God with us.

Value in Peace

Hi, my name is Kellsey and this is my first time writing a blog. I don't really expect anyone to read this because there are so many great blogs out there! I just decided to write one this summer to give me a fun summer project. For the first time in a couple years, I don't think I will be ridiculously busy so I am going to write. WARNING: Writing is not a skill of mine and I am awful at grammar. So I apologize in advance. Hopefully this blog won't be too full of grammar errors that make people cringe :)

The name of this blog "Coffee to Tea" is an idea that came from a good friend of mine named Emily. We worked at a camp together last summer and she is working there again but I am not. It was an incredible opportunity to work at that camp and was a summer of a lifetime! However, the second I finished camp I began a very, very, very busy school year. So, I basically haven't stopped for two years. Needless to say, I am a little exhausted. However, this summer I am home working as a nanny for a baby and it is really relaxing. I am so excited to have a couple months of rest. So, back to the title! I told Emily about how I was excited to not be busy for a little while and she told me that she had a couple summers that she did that too. She said she realized that she changed her life from coffee to tea and found value in peace. Wow! Value in peace. I mean, we all want peace but what do we do to find peace? 

Emily then reminded me about Martha and Mary. For those of you who don't know, Martha and Mary were sisters and good friends of Jesus. One day day when Jesus was at Martha and Mary's house, Martha was running around trying to make sure everything was being taken care of. She was probably cleaning and preparing a meal...I guess being a good host. All the while, Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet listening to him. Well, Martha was upset because Mary wasn't helping her and told Jesus to reprimand Mary. Jesus' response is so interesting and unexpected (but that is Jesus!) 

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chose what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42.

In this moment, Jesus reminds us that being busy is not always a good thing. What Martha was doing was not a bad thing but how she was doing it was. Earlier in the chapter, it says that Martha was distracted. She had the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior, in her home and she got distracted! How often do we get distracted? Although Jesus is not physically here with us, if we believe in Him, then He lives in us! We have the Messiah in us and yet we get distracted!

Mary, instead, chose to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to him, learn from him, and worship him. Mary chose what is better. 

So during this summer, I want to change my life from coffee to tea and find value in peace.