@powertochange:

Connecting Streams in the New Year

Written by Donna Mitchell

February 25, 2013

Dear Friends,

Recently, I attended Les Miserables; this is a profound story of grace.

It reminded me of something I witnessed in November of 2012. I had the privilege of joining our ministry team—reaching out to women in prison. Grace was the evening’s topic. There were five volunteers and twenty-five women residents present. Suddenly, a woman interrupted our discussion.

She announced she was forgiving everyone in the room and especially a particular inmate and she looked right at her. The forgiven inmate began to laugh and she explained that she had done nothing but bully the woman since she arrived. Then, the “bully” began to confess that she did not know why she treated people that way and she was sorry. The woman forgiving stood up, walked across the room in front of everyone and gave the “bully” a hug. The “bully” then turned to the leader and said “sorry, we are little off topic!” We did not think so—everyone in the room witnessed “grace.” It was beautiful.

When Jesus is present, His Kingdom thrives: the blind see, the deaf hear, the mute speak, the broken are healed, and the captives are delivered. Sometimes, we are looking for Him and He is in our midst—working miraculously in our presence!

For 2013, my prayer for all of us is that we would be faithful and fearless (not discouraged or disheartened; but rather resolutely courageous) in our pursuit of God and praying His Kingdom will come and His will be done among those we are seeking to reach. Jesus came—now, He sends us, His faithful ambassadors, to share His story and His love… so the blind will see and the deaf will hear, the brokenhearted will be healed, the captives will be set free, those who mourn will be comforted, and there will be beauty instead of ashes.

May you experience His amazing grace and abundant blessing,

Donna