Elizabeth Garn | Grace Upon Grace

What I am

September 2, 2016

One of my best friends lives just around the corner from us. Her girls are the same ages as mine so we get together once a week to let the kids run crazy while we drink all the coffee. She’s the type of friend who I text when I’m sitting on the bathroom floor hiding from the world because it’s been one of those days. …

Small Steps of Ordinary Obedience

August 10, 2016

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. Psalm 128:1 “Mommy! Where’s Mommy?” I looked up from my laptop and sighed. My to-do list was longer than I was tall, and every time I closed my eyes it grew even longer. I hoped to get some work done, to start crossing things off, but the sound of the little voice …

Awake the Dawn: Practicing worship

July 14, 2016

“My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being, Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!” Psalm 108:1-2 I set down my coffee and stared at the pages of my Bible. What a beautiful image, what an awesome act of worship. Awake the dawn! The idea of wanting to sing from the rooftops was incredible …

When I don’t feel loved

July 1, 2016

The sunlight flooded the mountain valley like a golden dam opening in slow motion. With the warmth of the morning rays, came the unmistakable warmth of the love of God. It enveloped me like a blanket, wrapping me in the certainty that I was loved by God. We sat on the hard floor of the island church, sat and prayed and worshiped the God …

Why I say, “I’m praying”

June 13, 2016

*Before I even start this post I want to state as clearly as I can that I unequivocally condemn what was done at the Pules Nightclub. It was evil, it was wrong, and I absolutely hate that it was done. I hate all destruction of human life. I sit here and I grieve with the families and friends of everyone involved and stand with them against this type of violence. I woke …

Ordinary Days, Extraordinary God

June 3, 2016

Sometimes life is just draining. Nothing is particularly hard, or bad, or gut-wrenching. Just tiring. That’s the way the last few weeks have been for me. Sick kids, broken air conditioners, and decisions weighing on my heart have left me weary in a way I can’t quite understand, let alone describe. The problem for me, and possibly this happens to you too, is that once …

Who am I trying to please?

May 23, 2016

The Weight of Pleasing People I am a recovering People Pleaser. Yes, those were capital “P”s. When I say that I was a people pleaser, I am not saying that I moonlighted occasionally or let it be a part time gig. No, I was a tried and true, to the core of my being, people pleaser. For the majority of my life, I have let …

When God is Enough

May 13, 2016

I know life is hard right now. I know you’re tired; that it has literally been months, or even years, since a full night’s sleep has been a regular thing. The bags under your eyes are as fixed and the stretch marks on your stomach. I know. I know you constantly feel the tension between the exhaustion, frustration, failure and the elation, joy, and …

The Lion

May 4, 2016

“Are you not thirsty?” said the Lion. “I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill. “Then drink,” said the Lion… The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic. “Will you promise not to- do anything to me, if I do come?” said Jill. “I make no promise,” said the Lion… “Do you eat girls?” she said. “I have swallowed up girls and boys, …

Christ in Us..?

April 29, 2016

I am one of those people that get’s completely stressed out placing my order at restaurants, especially if it’s one I don’t eat at often. No matter how much I’ve thought and planned and prepared, when the waiter looks at me, I have a moment of panic. Did I want Baja ranch, or fiesta ranch, or spicy ranch? Was it chicken fingers, nuggets, or tenders? …