The Grace Pace

As I began typing this into our group text, I laughed out loud (Literally LOL’d!) because I knew that every woman in that group was going to open that ridiculously long essay & immediately laugh (& heavy sigh) as they read the words straight from my very long winded heart. (They know I always have plenty to say! Sorry, Ladies! 🤣)

So I thought maybe I’d share it here instead?

I thought sharing the impact that this ministry has already had on us could inspire someone else to get involved too! The life-changing, community building, purpose igniting impact on me & my fellow leaders, the Mama’s that participated, and our church family that rallied alongside us!

So here it goes…

“ To our first three “Fearfully & Wonderfully Made” Embrace Grace Mamas,

I apologize in advance that this is long…but just bear with me, would ya?

As I prayed my morning prayers over each of you & your babies, just as I had done for the past several months, I suddenly felt a new, bittersweet emotion. One that felt like a colorful mixture of joy, sadness, gratitude, & the kind of swelling pride that only a Mama can truly comprehend. Raising up someone always means raising them to fly on their own. Seeing their success is the ultimate reward, while also bringing about change that our hearts are rarely prepared for.

As it finally sunk in that our semester, the one that started it all, has come to an end… my prayers have transformed, yet again, just as they had many times during this semester together. It was beautiful to reflect over all of the notes & specific prayers written before, during & after our semester.

To see so many seemingly small prayers answered without us realizing it! Just, WOW!

I even giggled at myself as I saw the evidence of mine & Rachel’s new friendship taking root as we got to know each other better & partnered in prayer over each of you! Through being ever so careful not to overstep as we both tried to figure out the boundaries of this whole thing, we discovered a whole lot of quirky things about ourselves & each other! Haha!

I am forever thankful for how God has cultivated our friendship & partnership through this ministry! I couldn’t imagine doing any of this without you, my worship-loving, Hebrew-&-Greek-translating, epic-cinnamon-roll-baking, dynamite-in-a-tea-kettle, fervent-prayer-warrior, Mama-Bear, servant-leader friend!

To say that I am overwhelmed by God’s faithfulness through every single step, is a major understatement!

In March, two of you were preparing to become first-time Mamas & one of you, although you weren’t a “first-time” mom, you are still a NEW, young Mom – full of your own questions & concerns…

Regardless of your situations or backgrounds, ALL of you came in searching for purpose, love & genuine community! I pray that, as you transition from “Participants” to “Alumni“, that your lives are overflowing with all of those things & more!

Rachel & I weren’t sure what we were searching for, or what to expect, all we knew for certain was that God had placed a calling on our hearts for Moms & He entrusted us to mentor & disciple the three of you, through Embrace Grace!

I cannot begin to explain how much healing I personally felt through this first semester, especially as you shared how Rachel & I being vulnerable was not only welcomed, but impactful, because it she’d light on the reality of “Mom Life” & “Wife Life“.

Hearing you say that our willingness to be open & “real”, reminded you that things are not always as “perfect” as they may seem, was a pivotal moment for me, honestly! I felt like I could breathe & hadn’t even realized I was holding my breath!

It also reminded me that we tend to take for granted the very things that others are praying for. Your words have helped me to change my attitude back to gratitude & to be more intentional about the ways I think & act towards my calling as a wife & mother.

Being a Mother is a huge calling. One that is rarely commended & requires more personal sacrifice than most may realize, but it’s worth every single second of it all…and we can have joy & peace as we fully rely on God to fill in where we continue to fall short.

So, thank YOU for being a part of this group with us & extending so much grace & patience as we found our footing along the way. We pray that you share in this feeling of equipping & that you leave this semester feeling encouraged & restored!

You three ladies are the trailblazers for future semesters & that makes me cry like a big ol baby!

As Rachel & I pray, plan & prepare for the next semester, I am increasingly grateful that God handpicked you three! I am certain that the memories of you all will now be eternally woven into each lesson & we will think of you every single time we share it with a new Mama.

Every single semester.

You ladies are the beginning of our Embrace Grace legacy & we pray that as you spread your wings & embrace your own Mother Mantles, that the Sisterhood you have built through this ministry, will continue to be a lifelong resource for you all.

We are still right here, lifting you in prayer, cheering you on as you chase after the plans & dreams that God has written on your hearts! We want to be in the front row celebrating the milestones, big & small, that we have partnered with you in prayer over! We want to be just a call/text away whenever you need a sounding board on a hard day! We want to continue to do LIFE with you ladies & consider it all JOY to see you leading your generation in grace & truth, while raising up the next generation of world changers in your own homes!

Life Church of Little Rock will always be a place for you & your families to call home & we pray that you will continue to allow God to work in & through you!

“being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6

You are LOVED.

You are BRAVE.

You are WORTHY.

You are more than ENOUGH.

You are a DAUGHTER of the King!

You are CHOSEN to be their MAMA!

“FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!”

Again, thank you for blazing a beautiful path for our group & for all those who will come after you.

To those of you reading this & wondering how you can get involved with this precious, powerful ministry in your own community, visit EmbraceGrace.com for more information or feel free to reach out to me! I’m always happy to help point you in the right direction!