Spring Devotional- Abounding Grace

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to Thy mercy remember Thou me for Thy goodness sake, O Lord." Psalm 25:7

"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us."  Psalm 103:12

"Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." Ephesians 4:7

The measure of the gift of Christ is boundless and eternally reaching. My transgressions and sins have been removed and resolved. Complete account has been taken of them and not one was found to be too great not to be paid for by the blood of Christ. Full forgiveness. Full atonement. How can it be? That Thou, my God, should have died for me? According to His goodness have they all been removed from me, canceled from my charges, and the account made clean and pure. His goodness is boundless and free and as the prodigals' father, He seeks and restores His wandering sheep with a heart too full of love to hold resentment or hold Himself back, waiting for us to step forward. 

Thank you, Holy One, that my stamp of righteousness comes not from my own merit, but according to your mercy, You saved me. Thank you that I stand in holiness offered by the Spotless Lamb. Not by my own merit have I received anything, but upon God do I rest for my cleansing. Once and for all, You declared me holy, once and for all, I am given eternal purity by You. O Father, let me not despise the gift of grace that You have bestowed upon me by giving footholds to the lusts of this world. Would integrity and uprightness keep me in the pure way. Keep me, Jesus in remembrance of The Way, would I not er'. To Christ, I look to. Thank You, dear Father. 

Family Life - April & May

Happy June! Though according to the calendar, we are still in spring, summer seems to have already arrived and is in full force with temperatures some days in the 90s! Spring seems a short season in Kentucky. Below are some glimpses of life for the Smiths from April and May. Both months were busy, especially May, but were also full of blessings and wonderful opportunities to learn from, lean into, and grow more like Christ.                                              

The puppies continue to grow but have moved to the stage
when their cuteness is outweighed by their "annoyingness" =)

Emma, Stephen, and James came for a visit at the beginning of
April. All of us sisters had some "girl time" out in town, with the addition 
of James.

I miss the days of carrying my own siblings (or our pastor's children)
around in the baby carriers. It was sweet to get the opportunity to 
do it for a little while with James.

Hobby Lobby is great for sister outings.

After Hobby Lobby, we stopped by Granddaddy's for him
to visit with his great-grandson. It was sweet to see them 
interact together.

An evening walk with a companion...

In mid-April, Mom, Olivia, Ella, Leah, and I had the
opportunity to go on a historical tour of some of the history of
the War Between the States through the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.
Walking on a battlefield, touring General "Stonewall" Jackson's 
home in Lexington, viewing his burial site (picture above) as well as
some of those of his family and close associates of the war, taking in
Virginia landscape, seeing famous artifacts, walking on the Virginia Military
Institute campus, standing in Washington and Lee's Univerity Chapel, 
viewing General Lee's marble statue (which unfortunately is being 
bricked in this summer, so we were some of the last to ever see it in 
person.), and more was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for this history
loving gal. I enjoyed Virginia itself and hope to return there
someday.
  

General Robert E. Lee's marble statue.

General "Stonewall" Jackson's horse, "Little Sorrel".

General Jackson's military uniform and the raincoat he was
wearing when fatally shot while on a scouting mission at 
Chancellorsville in 1863.

The Virginia Military Institute campus.

General Turner Ashby's grave.

"The Field of Lost Shoes"

Nonetheless, it was good to get back home.

Playing solitaire with Grandma on a weekend visit.

Peaches is still a "sweet peach" and getting around well, 
despite her hip injury back in the winter. 

First weekend in May found us in North Carolina to see
Caden graduate with a Bible certificate from Ambassador
Baptist College. 

We were all able to make it to the graduation which was a blessing 
as it is quite difficult for our entire family to step away from the farm 
for any length of time. Despite having a cow go into labor the morning
we had to leave, God answered, the calf was delivered and
we all made it that evening!

Celebrating Joel's 13th birthday.

Loading cattle!
God has always been faithful with the sales
of cattle, but this year we watched Him work on our behalf in
special and obvious ways. He has been so faithful, so kind, and
may He receive all the glory. I am privileged, as a daughter, to 
watch first-hand God move on behalf of our family and be apart
of seeing miracles happen. Not everyone is blessed to see God 
move on their behalf in such tangible and significant ways and I 
count myself exceeding blessed to be allowed to witness God's 
faithfulness and goodness again and again to our family. 

Taking some time to sit with some of "the girls".

Stopping for a chat with Belle.

At the end of May, Olivia, Hope, and a dear friend headed 
off for a summer of service at the Bill Rice Ranch.

So that is April and May. God has been so good and I am grateful for the lessons and the blessings that those two months gave me. I am thankful to see growth in my life and may I continue pressing forward in faithfulness. 

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:14
~
"And the peace of God which passesth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." 
Philippians 4:7