Hi Friends,

It's hard to believe the year is about halfway over and yet, there's still so much of it left to enjoy. I used to think of time as a thief and now I can only view it as an incredibly precious gift. Upon recently learning that my neighbor, who is a single mom, is dying from cancer, my heart was grieved and is grieving still. I wondered how God could allow this to happen and Psalm 145:9 began to shape my thoughts. It says,

 

 

Rather than lamenting the loss of what I expected for my neighbor, I realized in His kindness, God has given her over 40 years of life. That timespan has included a master's degree, two sons, and a roof over her head. I don't know her super well, but she was very open with me and my husband about not having much longer to live. We had the chance to pray with her and share the gospel through the prayer and she was open to all of it. She was receptive to our invitation to church. This week, my husband is taking her sons out to lunch (will you please pray for gospel seeds to take root and bear fruit?). What lovely evidence of God's marvelous mercy. 

 

The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), yet in His kindness he gives us physical life and an undeserving abundance of us receive spiritual life, too. Psalm 103:1-5 provides an overwhelming account of His generosity. He not only removes our sin and accredits to us Jesus's perfect life, He gives us so many additional blessings. There have been too many times I've taken for granted the many mercies He's showered on me. 

 

While I don't know His plan for my neighbor and her sons, I trust that His mercy is over all, including them, just as He's said. I don't know how that mercy will manifest itself but I'm trusting that I don't need to. Time and time again, I've seen Him use evil for good and bring life from death and I know He delights to do so. I'm slowly learning to marvel at His mercy and ultimately, Him. I hope this email will encourage you to do the same and comfort your heart with His great love for you. 

 

In Christ,

Lauren

 Here are 3 of my favorite blog posts from this month!

 

Mercy has been on my mind lately and it inspired me to write this post.

 

This is a recent release by Clarissa Moll that helps children understand how to process grief. It contains lovely illustrations and is a wonderful tool for children who are grieving. 

 

As my husband and I watched the Titan documentary on Netflix, I couldn't help but observe some spiritual truths about the ordeal. I also couldn't resist sharing about John Harper because I firmly believe his story is one worth telling. 

Here are some fun things my kids have been enjoying lately!

Using the term "freesources" is certainly nerdy but I simply couldn't resist! 

Here are a few of the free resources that have ministered to my heart lately. 

I hope you are just as encouraged by them as I have been. 

 

This book by Jen Pollock Michel is free as an ebook from Logos. I first learned about Jen from Jen Wilkin. I purchased this book with a Thriftbooks gift card a while ago and look forward to reading it!

 

This is the free audiobook of the month from Logos. This book helps readers understand how authentic ministry comes from abiding in Christ. I can't wait to listen to it!

 

As a youth ministry leader, I really enjoyed this episode of the Women of the Word podcast. If you've enjoyed Jen Wilkin's book of the same name, I think you'll enjoy this episode as well as the others.