Am I alone in my hunger for grace, or could you use a bit more, too?
Tightrope walkers, slave rescuers, and martyrs amaze me. The trained and heroic few demonstrate courageous serenity under inconceivable pressure. Such strength seems reserved for an elite class. Could the awesome gifts of grace remain beyond my grasp?
Lucinda Secrest McDowell’s new book, Ordinary Graces, the shares divine blessings within every believer’s reach. God offers abundant gifts from the nature of His generosity. He lavishes these riches upon us throughout the seasons, regardless of our merits. We need only stretch out our arms in faith and receive them.
I had the delightful opportunity to hear the author speak in person several years ago. Lucinda’s smile radiates spiritual joy and her vitality warms the room. The same charm and personality in her live messages also shines through her writing. She takes the reader’s hand and delivers encouragement where she needs it most.
Ordinary Graces speaks to the hearts of modern women. We hunger for strength and grace. Our spirits thirst for life enrichment and the rich treasures found only in the practice of gratitude. For each of these issues, thirty entries allow the reader to satiate her soul with much-needed truths.
Lucinda shares personal stories, so we feel as if we’re joining her for coffee on the pages of the devotional. She also includes inspiration from the lives of others. With her conversational style, McDowell conveys theological insights without heavy-handed blows. She often delves into the original language of scripture passages to clarify key terms. While scholars often involve such exegetical content, Original Graces brings depth within the context of a friendly hug.
I love the enrichment gleaned from understanding of our gifts through His Word, but my favorite characteristic of Ordinary Graces rests at the end of each entry. Lucinda closes each devotional passage with a love note from Father God. Unlike the common use of a prayer to finish a daily reading, she adds sentiments the Lord might offer to encourage us.
“My child, a peaceful night of rest is My gift to you at the end of another hard day. One in which you tried to be salt and light in the world … And now, I bring you to a quiet moment to simply give thanks. You did love well today. And tomorrow will be another fresh opportunity.” (Ordinary Graces, p. 183)
In all the seasons represented, each message of Ordinary Graces ends with the Lord’s assurance to His child. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, but I am free to offer my authentic encouragement to readers. And I could not recommend Lucinda or her devotional more highly. If you’re in need of grace, strength, gratitude, or revitalization in the current season of your life, seek out Ordinary Graces. https://lucindamcdowell.wordpress.com/ordinary-graces/
If you’d like to win a free copy, check out the giveaway opportunity below.
Are you ready to receive gifts of ordinary grace and abundant life from God and His Word? Join Lucinda in focusing on one word a day through devotional readings and short benedictions in her new book, Ordinary Graces. God has given us many gifts, such as his grace-the gift we don’t deserve and can never earn. Promises from the One who declares we are already loved, already accepted, already created in his image. The question becomes, will we truly receive that gift? Will the reality of it actually change the way we think and notice and reach out?
Celebrate the release of Lucinda’s new book and grace your holiday season with a $75 Etsy gift card giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of Ordinary Graces
- A $75 Etsy gift card
- A grace bracelet
- A set of Ordinary Graces greeting cards
Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on November 17. The winner will be announced November 20 on the Litfuse blog.
