His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is NOT

This week, we're spending time with highlighted author LOREE LOUGH.

If you read her interview earlier in the week, I thought you might really enjoy a sneak peek at one of her devos in His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is Not, due out in just a couple of weeks.

A portion of the proceeds of this book will benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.


The Prayer Wars

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

My grandkids love to say grace.

Not that memorized "God is great" poem we're all so familiar with, but something pure and simple and straight from the heart, because that's how they've been taught to pray. Suffice it to say Sunday dinners at my house are interesting. And the food is usually cold, because "simple" to them has no connection to "brief!"

Last week, for example, my granddaughter decided we should all take turns saying a blessing.

"But it isn't even Thanksgiving," said her twin.

"Just because it isn't Thanksgiving doesn't mean we can't say thanks," Samantha shot back.

"Well, all right," Steven agreed, "but you start." He pointed to his grandfather, who sat on Sam's left. "And go that way around the table."

Head bobbing as she did a mental head count, I heard her whisper, "Twelve whole prayers!" Smiling, she bowed her head and folded her hands and opened with "Dear God, we thank You for all this food, and for making the seeds and the men and women who grew it, and the truck drivers who delivered it to the Super-Fresh." She opened one eye and whispered, "Granddad, your turn."

"We thank You for our good health and our homes, and—"

"—and Grandmom," Steven chimed in, "who cooked it all up and set the table and made chocolate cake."

"Wasn't your turn," pretty Payton said, then added, "Thank You that I got five gold stars last week. And that Emily's pink eye is all better. And that Mr. Arnold's puppy didn't get runned over when he went into the street."

"And that baby Warner's poopy diaper didn't leak on his crib."

"Steven! You can't say 'poopy' in a prayer!"

He faced Samantha. "Why not? God made people, and people poop!"

Shoulders slumped, she groaned and shook her head as baby Warner said, "Poop!"

"Boys." Then, "Please God, let the soldiers all stay safe, and don't let their children miss them too much until they get home. And send lots of food and clean water to the hurricane people."

"Yes, yes!" Payton squealed, "And clothes and blankets for the children, and flashlights so they won't be a-scared when it gets dark out."

Meeting with God in this way recharges my batteries; what He does through each of us, by faith as we receive His grace, has eternity stamped on it.

Since my own childhood, I've held fast to Jesus' words: "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." I searched the faces of loved ones seated around the table—the adults stifling chuckles as the children continued to pray—and wondered, could life get any more grace-filled than this?

Today's Prayer: O Lord, though our world is rife with sin and suffering, You help us recognize the blessings that You deliver each day. Let me say thank You, daily, with the pure, sweet sincerity of a child. Amen. -- Loree