Holley Gerth is the co-founder of (in)courage, writer for DaySpring, author, counselor, wife to Mark, follower of Jesus, friend to YOU. Today, she is sharing her Grace Story with us. I couldn’t be more excited…
When our wonderful friend Stacey asked me to share some words about grace, one experience kept coming to mind. It happened a couple of years ago but it’s something my heart needs to remember forever, and especially now.
*****
I messed up. Again.
I sat on the back deck thinking about what a failure I’d been.
What must God think of me?
I was writing in my journal as I had been every day.
Lately, I felt like God had been impressing on me to only write good things—compliments people gave me, ways He used me, blessings in my life. I didn’t know why He wanted me to do this, but I felt compelled to do it.
flickr photo credit seyed mostafa zamani
But on this morning I sat and stared at the blank page. I began to write about my mistake. I finished and looked at the black and white evidence that I was a failure yet again.
Then I heard a whisper in my heart, “Rip out the page.”
I paused and listened closer, “Rip out the page.”
“God, what are you saying? What do you mean rip out the page? I need to record this mistake. I need to remember it.”
Again the clear message came, “Rip out the page.”
I touched the white page of my journal, now covered with my writing. Then slowly I pulled from top to bottom. The paper made a sharp sound as it separated from the journal. All that was left were a few fragments of white paper where my mistake had once been. The picture couldn’t have been clearer.
Forgiveness.
Mercy.
Grace.
It was right there on the clean, white pages of my journal.
God whispered to my heart again. “All of the mistakes and failures that you remember, all the secrets you run from, all the regrets and remorse…they are all gone. Every one of them has been torn from the story of your life. You are forgiven. You are accepted. You are loved.”
My heart was overwhelmed.
I kept thinking about what God had spoken to me on the deck. Later in the morning, I was praying about it again. This time God added something more to what He had whispered.
“Daughter, do you know why I wanted you to keep a ‘good things’ journal? It’s because that’s what my journal about you is like. If you were to read the story of your life, that’s what you would read. Not mistakes or failures, but the times you were a blessing, the ways you please me, the love you show others. The good things I think about you.”
God’s love was so real and strong, so much bigger than I even had imagined.
I realized at that moment that God loves me. He doesn’t just tolerate me. He doesn’t just put up with me because I’m a Christian and he has to. He really, truly loves me.
So wherever you are, whatever mistake you have written in the journal of your life, know that God has ripped it from the pages. There’s only love. There’s only grace. The story of your life is far different than you imagined…and the Author loves you far more than you ever dared to dream.
If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins…who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness.
PSALM 130:3-4 NIV
Thank you so much Holley for your encouragement today! If you add one blog to your subscribe list today, make it Holley’s. Your heart will thank you! You can find her blogging at Heart to Heart with Holley and on Twitter @HolleyGerth.
Perfect timing!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Grace, forgiveness and mercy always “suits my case”… Although it is very painful when I extend grace and my unsaved family members constantly hold my mistakes over my head … To the point that I cannot establish a relationship with my siblings or nieces/nephews… I am not an addict, alcholic, I have never stole anything from them, damaged any of their property — I think they just like excluding me and being angry …. Yet, I forgive them and trust God that one day, the people she has influence over will rise up one day and “seek the truth” instead of excepting her word and following her way… ;-(
The Lord guided you to follow His example. In the Hebrews Hall of Fame, He does not record Abraham’s lie, Sarah’s laughter, Isaac’s favoritism, Moses’ murder, Samson’s weakness, David’s adultery….
He lists their acts of faith, their worship, and courage. And when you ripped out that page, I hope you shredded it and spread it as far as the East is from the West.
Thank you for the precious reminder to a sister who also feels the need to remember my forgiven failings.
So Beautiful and it sounds so much like Our Gracious Father!
I am reminded of how God described Abraham’s nephew Lot In 1 Peter 2:7-8. Compared to all the ways we might describe Lot, God says this:
“… Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)-” NIV
Our God truly looks at the heart and delights in revealing his presence there.
May we surrender more of it to him today.
Oh, I love this Mindy. Thank you!
I never thought about the Hebrews hall of fame that way, but you are so right. Wow. That changes a lot for me.
Love the part about, He doesn’t tolerate me because He has to…I think that is the majority of the time how I think about God.
Goosebumps, Holley. Thanks.
I loved this Holley, just loved it….He really truly loves me says it all…thank you!
Thank you for today’s post – – sometimes I get bogged down in the failures — -yesterday, looking at the freshly fallen snow with no tracks in it I was reminded of the song – -whiter than snow. I am so thankful that Jesus was willing to forgive me and reconcile me to the Father. Wonderful is the Grace of Jesus!
What an Awesome story…so Incredible…such a Simple (yet very Profound) explanation of Grace.
Thanks for sharing it with us Holley & Stacey!!
May God Bless
Vicki
I wonder if I could go back to my journals and just rip out those pages – or at least draw a line through the “mistakes” – what a wonderful reminder; God has forgiven me, I have His forgiveness, mercy and grace according to HIS WORD!!!!!!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!
I really liked this story. It made me think about all the things I take for granted that we do daily. How many times has someone given you a compliment and you just turn it down? Did you turn down God’s compliment-why? I liked the “good things” journal concept helping to keep their spirits up so that they can be positive and enjoy our days. Thank you for your grace and mercy Lord. May your love endureth forever.
Thank you for the Grace Story! This message is me!! The failures and mistakes that i have made and how I had have to start again. But I know that he loves me!
Wow thanks for sharing that. This morning I read about the veil in the temple being rent from top to bottom when Christ died…Holley ripped the page from top to bottom…visual of Christ’s redemption in our lives! Thanks for the encourgement!
So it’s happened again. Your words parallel my journey to the ‘T.’
A week ago this very day, I slip-slid into such a black pit and I made a terrible mistake. I journaled it. It was so discouraging that I knew it would have to be destroyed. So one day this week, I ripped it out of the book and burned it – really! – at the kitchen sink.
Thank you so much for these lifegiving words. And yes, please do write that down.
His “Word Girl,”
Rhonda, waving and smiling as always
Stacey, it is so sweet to meet you through our dear Holley. <3
Holley, thank you for the beautiful reminders, my friend. 🙂
Jenni it is wonderful to meet you too! How much do we live this Holley girl?! She is always encouraging our hearts towards Him! Thanks for stopping by today!
Wow! I love Holley at your place, Stacey! Y’all serve up the best kind of encouragement…you go together like peanut butter and chocolate!
Holley, this is exactly what I needed to hear this morning. I have been beating myself up over a personal issue lately, and while I know I’m forgiven I had it in my noggin that God might not forget. So, so wrong. I’m breathing Fresh Air now…thank you.
I soooo needed to hear this today. Thank you so very much (Holley & Stacey), I can’t find the words that would come close to thanking you for this timely devotional. And to thank you for the strength & encouragement it’s given me today. I’m printing this & keeping it close to my heart! And I’m praying for you Kristen@Moms, and everyone else that posted a response to this devotional. I know what it’s like to struggle with a mistake and to feel like I’m all alone in that struggle. Even tho you know in your heart that God never leaves us. Thank you to each of you for sharing what you’re going thru and strenghtening & shining your light on me & others without even knowing it! I’m praying for each of you. With Love,
Susan Young, susany328@gmail.com
Your heart Susan is precious! Thanks for praying for these sweet hearted women!
Kristen – so glad you were encouraged here today! (couldn’t you just squeeze Holley right now?) Suddenly, I’m in need of a Reece Cup…. 🙂
many, many times over thank you Holley and Stacey for asking Holley to write on Grace.
When you came to the second further speaking, “Daughter, do you know why I want you to keep a ‘good things’ journal?…” my heart just crumpled…in a good way. Can this really be true? and how would my life look differently if I embraced this even a little?
sweet words…precious Abba Father heart displayed through both of you:)
Blessings and joy! Abby:)
Spoken to my heart, thanks Holly!
Thank you so much for reminding that on “My Journey of Grace”, I need to think about how much God loves me, and that He doesn’t focus on my short-comings!
Enjoy your blogs and your comments every day!
Sue
Thank you Holley, this came at the absolute perfect time in my life. As God always does, His timing is perfect. I had made a mistake this week and kept on compounding it by letting other things that normally I would not even allow to bother me, pile on the mistake and pity pile. I went to my Bible Study last night and the message that was taught seemd to have been chosen just for me to hear. Now you share this message of Grace and Lord, thank you for loving me so much. Thank you Holley for your transparency and letting us all know that you have made mistakes and help us to be transparent too. Love and prayers always, Trisha
I don’t even have words.
That is the most precious picture of grace I have ever read.
I needed that today.
Thank you for sharing.
This post is DEFINITLY a keeper!
Lovely post Holley! We always want to dwell on our mistakes.
This story echoed the words I have hidden in my heart for years. Do I really please God or does He Tolerate me ? Does He Love me because He made a covenant and has too? My past is full of People who said they loved me but Hurt me. The physical and emotional abuse I endured while growing up has left me scared and jaded. I have been betraded and abandonded. I want so much to come to the place of confidence in God’s love for me. Not because I sing or teach or whatever, I can’t earn His love…this I know. Your words are a wonderful reminder of how His Love a gift!! Thank You!!
Two small words but mean a great deal. THANK YOU!!
beautiful
I’m struggling. My son confided in me. He’s not ready to confide in his dad. Past hurts unresolved prevent that. I’m praying. My son draw near and listen. He’s not ready to listen and obey. Past pain stirs in my spirit.
Pam I’m learning that His Grace is always on time and always enough. May God bless you!
I keep coming back to read more thou I shared and shared in different ways talking and stating what Grace is today, I find myself with a cloud over me yet know full well that Grace is Christ’s undeniable, complete and pure Love in the clear plated forgiveness in HIM. Who the core of God is… His Grace define’s HIM. Grace is Jesus! LOVE! Grace is when we go to the Father for forgiveness and as far from the east is to the west is our sin to the Lord thrown into the sea.
I do need His Holy Spirit to fill me and encompass all I am and walk free in His Love and Grace apparently for I seem to need so much for It to be enough and on time in my life’s circumstances right now….
Thank you as always Holley and thank you for letting us all visit Stacey…
I also lift up all you in prayer…. Sisters in Christ… Georgia
Thank you so much for being here with me today! I love reading your comments and hearing your beautiful hearts!
Thank you Holley!! Lord Bless You!! You Bless Me So in your faithfulness to the Lord and openness to us!!
May these responses find you warm, cozy and happy!! May Blessings abound you!!
Georgia
I just wanted you to know that I experienced grace a few days ago. I was driving and the speed limit had just slowed from 70 to 55. Well, my car had not! I got pulled over after the sheriff had been following me for quite some time. After he got my registration and ID, I looked him in the eye and said, “Officer, would you PLEASE give me grace? Could I please just have a warning?”
“We’ll see,” he said, and then he walked back to his car, probably looking to see what kind of a record I had. After a few minutes, he walked back, and to my utter surprise, he said, “OK, I’m giving you a warning this time….” and went on to tell me how I needed to slow down right when the speed limit changed next time. I gratefully shook his hand and drove away with a keen sense that THIS is what God’s grace is like. Except with God, I don’t even have to ask for it!
I wonder how many times this officer’s been asked for “grace?” 🙂
Yeah for grace! Yeah for you thinking to ask for it! I wonder, how many times we “could” have had it, but just didn’t ask???
Love you sweet friend!
Thank you Holley, from my deepest heart. I’m the kind of person who always whips myself after making a mistake, failing, unintentionally hurting someone (I don’t intentionally!), or any other ‘failure’.
I also teach about grace because it means to much to me, but your story says it like I never can. That’s such precious revelation that you’ve shared. You use words to paint pictures and communicate Jesus at His best.
Thank you again,
This is so powerful. How many of my journal pages are filled with my failures, struggles, sins…
I’m convicted to think more carefully about recording the positives, and hush up those enemy-voices vying for my attention. Thanks so much.
– Teri @ StumblingAroundInTheLight
Beautiful, Beautiful My heart feels so full
Hi Holley,
A wonderful reminder of the grace and forgiveness our Lord gives us evey day!!
In our humaness, we dwell on our mistakes, and tend to forget our triumphs. Forgiving ourselves is often the hardest thing we can do. But, as I am learning, if we don’t, God cannot move us on in His plans for us because we’re still carrying around “baggage” that doesn’t fit into our lives. This also robs our souls of His joy.
Thanks Stacey for sharing the rest of this story.
Holley, keep writing those amazing insights; the “aha” moments that keep us all learning.
Shalom, Sandy
Thank you, Holley and Stacey! It’s . . .hard to imagine that all God sees are the good things about me. Kind of tearing up at this, so that means He wanted me to hear it. God bless you for sharing with us what He shares with you. Priceless and precious.
Dear Holley,
what a wodnerful reminder to us about God’s grace and forgiveness without which we have no chance! A reminder too I thought of how I need to extend this same ‘grace’ to others.
I love this verse :
If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins…who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness.
PSALM 130:3-4 NIV
Thanks Holley for this needed enncouragement!
love
sal
Why is it so hard for some of us to see the goodness in ourselves? It is so very hard for me and even harder to pray for myself about this problem. I feel like if I admit “out loud” to God that I can’t see my goodness, it would seem as if I said “out loud”, “I don’t believe what You say is true God!” I can hardly bear that thought. Most days I see myself as the sum total of all the mistakes I’ve made, instead of one of God’s lovingly created children.
I’m glad you ripped that page out, Holley and I’m glad that you saw that bright white page sheet underneath that is you. Praise God you ripped it out. Pray for me to tear my mistake sheet out, rip it out and put it through the shredder!
It’s a big step of faith and I want to take it so very much.
My prayers are always with you and all who read and share your blog. May you all feel the Lord helping you take a big or a small step of faith this weekend. Be so blessed.
Thank you Holly. Thank you very much.
O Holly, thank you! Thank you very much.
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful words, Holley! Such a powerful reminder!! Thank you so much. Blessings, Sharon ^j^
Thank you so much for this reminder of grace. I so needed to hear it. I needed to hear about focusing on the good things.
Oh Thank You Holley–
How I needed that word from the Lord today. He has used you to speak to my heart. I know I am forgiven, but often instead of listening to Truth, I listen to lies from the father of lies.
My next memory verse will be Psalm 130:3-4 so that I can fight the lies with God’s Word-Truth!!
Much love,
Tisha
Beautiful reminder! Thank you!
Holley, thank you so much! Just recently, I’ve lost access to the one thing guaranteed to bring me joy, and I keep wondering if it’s because of my past sins. Yes, we all have them, but when they’re yours, they seem particularly heinous. What you’ve written assures me that I’m not being punished. I still don’t understand the whys, but can accept that God has a plan.
After a pretty rough week, God knew I needed to read this.
This verse has stayed with me all week too . . .
“All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.” Psalm 38:9
Just spending more time reading your comments, praying for you and thanking God for all of you! Thank you so much for being here…
Thank you so much Holley for such a Big Encouragement that our Loving Father wanted to share with each one of us, through one of His Blessings, that is…..YOU!
Thank you Holley. Your account describes so perfectly how the Lord sees his children. I tend to forget that. It is so good to be reminded.
Thank you so much for this message. I really needed it at this time. I’ve been struggling the last week because a non-Christian called me a hypocrite because of mistakes I make. I was told I couldn’t be a Christian because I have times of perceived failure. That if I really was a Christian I wouldn’t fall at times, but be perfect.
Even though I know I can’t be perfect, it still hurt to be called a hypocrite.
You’ve done it again Holley – God bless you! The song ‘But For Your Grace’ springs to mind…
This was a deep sigh of relief kind of post. I’m always so caught up in thoughts and worry of letting people down, making mistakes, and so on. I love the visual of ripping the page out. Never will I see those white paper stubs and not think of this.
I had hoped to see this post on the day it posted, but what a week. Thank you to both of you, Stacey and Holley for sharing such a lovely topic..grace.
Blessings,
Erin
Erin you are not late – you are right on time! Praying this week is better and that God reminds you how deep and wide His Grace is! {could you not just hug Holley great big right now for such a refreshing & lovely post?}
Thank you so, so much, Holley. I have been struggling recently with guilt and condemnation. I’d been making slow, small progress, but this morning I was starting to feel bad again and then I read your blog……
Thank you Father for leading me here.
Praise God Holly. For one who has struggled with her salvation over the years, your words are like a salve. Thank you for sharing how the Lord has dealt with your issues of being too hard on yourself. I, like you, have tried to record my mistakes all too often, and it does nothing but keep me in the mire of guilt. That is not where the Lord wants His children. We are the children of the Light, and we are to walk in the Light, but how can we if we are bogged down in guilt?! We cannot perform for Him if we do not rid ourselves of it and accept the life giving forgiveness He has freely given to us. Really, how dare we do anything but accept with open and willing hearts. It negates his all encompassing sacrifice for human kind. I find the idea of His love for me to be difficult to comprehend at times, but I have faith that He does love me, and I accept His love for me more deeply each and every day…thank you Lord…praise you Father. It is through Him that we have our faith, and it is through Him that we have our forgiveness, and it is through Him that we have our lives. TO GOD BE THE GLORY AND THE HONOR AND THE PRAISE FOREVER, AND FOREVER. Blessings to all……..