small steps #graceupongrace

Job 23:11

My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside.

The Grace Upon Grace Business cards arrived today. Who knew that 250 2.5x3inch slices of cardstock paper could bring so much joy (and responsibility)? 

These little pieces of paper are symbols in the lesson of small steps. Well, truly, A lot of things recently have taught me about small steps:: working with families, writing curriculum, and the 2011 Encounter. Even, working with women who need drastic yet simple, slow, and systematic detoxification from most of the arenas of a life they lived on the streets! Breaking down overwhelming odds and circumstances into small steps, eases the burden, and pronounces hope.

While I am not pursuing a race, I do feel the vibrant fervency to be slow and steady…. Slow and Steady is the pace because I have to be committed to intentionally listening and also tenaciously aware of the priority of the moment, the boundary of time and the thievery of distraction.

So, I listen and then I agree with the direction of the Lord. 

Some days I don’t do much, if any, business work. Some days, like today was more administrative: building research for banks on business accounts, making admin lists, ideating about how to engage people, and making lists. And there will be a time again to focus on the people, the hearts, the stories. 

For right, now, I am just taking it step by step, with gentle smile and a emboldened cry of gratitude. 

This is humbling and I am grateful…. It really is a testimony to Our Father's grace upon grace. 

Job 22:21-28

“Agree with God, and be at peace;
    thereby good will come to you.  Receive instruction from his mouth,
    and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty you will be built up;
    if you remove injustice far from your tents,  if you lay gold in the dust,
    and gold of Ophir among the stones of the torrent-bed, then the Almighty will be your gold and your precious silver. For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty
    and lift up your face to God.
You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear you,
    and you will pay your vows.
You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you,
    and light will shine on your ways.”

Isaiah 30:21

“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”

 

Isaiah 60:1 (ESV) :: The Future Glory of Israel

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”