March #jammed: Grace Revealed.

Day 90: The heart.

 “The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
    and patience is better than pride.”

Even those who can’t hear can feel when the beat of a song is off, and it doesn’t take a medical professional to notice the skipped beat of a heart …but that’s just what happened to Julie Manning, as she tells in her book “My Heart.”

It’s every mother’s worst nightmare played out, to the tune of unending grace. Julie recounts the tragic sickness of her heart, and all of the medical challenges that spiraled in to personal and spiritual challenges for her as she tried to move forward without skipping a beat for her two young sons and sweetheart husband.

Like every book I’m blessed to be part of launching, I dove in curiously wondering what God was going to use this book for in my life, and the lives of others. Julie’s bravery to recount and write down the painful memories and joyous triumphs is truly endearing …and important. When we walk close to the edge of the end of life we realize the reality of it’s fragility. 

How many of us launch into our days in a rush and continue on at the speed of light through a crammed calendar of days without stopping to linger in a few precious
moments?

“What if lunch notes, texts, and cards stopped saying, ‘Have a great day!’ and instead included a prayer over the soul and a Scripture to cling to that is Truth as they decipher through the lies heard in the hallways, on sidewalks, or next to the water cooler?” -Julie Manning, My Heart

I will write those lunch notes. As today’s verse teaches us, “the end of a matter is better than the beginning.” Better the end of a matter than the end of a life not ready to end. Pride wants us to rush through our moments, but patience allows us to linger longer. 

“Jesus was an intentional memory maker. Jesus was always fully present.”- Julie Manning, My Heart 

Father, Praise You for the intricate fabric of the human heart, and thank You for Julie’s faithfulness to write her testimony down. We confess, we do not always appreciate the sound of a normal heart beat. Bless ours to beat, always, in Your name. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace! 

#greatgrace17

Happy Heartbeats,

Megs

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