Elizabeth Garn | Grace Upon Grace

I Don’t Fit the Mold

August 9, 2017

The Good-Christian Woman Mold Years ago, my husband and I were invited to Sunday Dinner (what I would call “fancy lunch”) at the home of a prominent southern pastor. We were truly honored, but let’s be honest, it was awkward. Family dinners at my parent’s house are loud and boisterous affairs. This was quiet and proper. I’m used to standing in the kitchen to munch …

In the Image of God

July 19, 2017

There are few things I enjoy talking about more, and few topics I think are as important to talk about, than what it means to be made in the image of God. Especially for us as women, as we (or perhaps just me), for whatever reason, tend to easily forget who it is we were created to be. Being an image bearer of God gives …

When I Don’t Feel Like Reading My Bible

March 8, 2017

stared at my Bible lying open, but untouched on the counter. Behind me the coffee brewed and upstairs my family still slept; this was my time. My time to read, pray, write… whatever it was that God had for me that morning this was time to do it. And I normally cherished those moments of quiet, but not that morning. That morning I simply didn’t …

Let us build up one another

February 2, 2017

I closed my computer the other day and sat for a moment, simply staring at the screen. What was going on? The hurt, anger, frustration, accusations… all of it was overwhelming. And depressing. Some of what I read had been blatantly mean, but much of it had been finger-pointing disguised at “motivation.” Even comments that appeared to be non-threatening, had an undercurrent of casting blame. …

Not Forgotten

January 9, 2017

I sat in my bathroom, tears running down my face harsh sobs causing my shoulders to tremble and shake. “Where are you, God?” For the first time in weeks, the words whispered in my heart were not angry, they were filled with a deep sort of sadness, a painful longing. “Why have you forgotten me?” Left Behind Things hadn’t always been like that. Months before …

Listen, Love, Repeat (and a giveaway!)

November 15, 2016

I stopped and looked around my kitchen for a moment, overwhelmed with joy at what I was seeing. About fifteen women, a few of whom I was very close with, some I had never met before that night, were gathered around my kitchen island. The volume was loud as multiple little conversations had formed, and the laughter was contagious. We ate snacks, hung out, and …

Lift Up You Eyes to the Hills

November 3, 2016

Dear Self, I know that things are hard right now. I know that exhaustion has seeped into your bones and your heart, and a weariness you can’t always talk about, let alone describe, has taken root. I know you are sad and angry and hurt; that dreams have come and gone and hopes have been deferred. I know that your plan has flown by the …

Draw Near

October 5, 2016

“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God that I many declare all thy works.” Psalm 73:28 I sat at the counter listening to my friend share her heart. Kids ran around at our feet, the smell of baking still lingered in the air (she made banana bread… I know!), and we …

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 …