Grace Like Rain
Can I share for a second? Today is my birthday and birthdays for me always bring reflection over the past year.
I am so thankful for each of you. I cannot express how grateful I feel for all of your emails, comments, and just knowing you are reading my blog means the world. I started this blog one year ago and was too ashamed to utter the words, “I’m a blogger”. I wanted to be a real writer, not a pretend one. I started this blog knowing the only way to become a better writer is. . .to WRITE.
My blog has grown exponentially and I can promise you it has nothing to do with me. Over the past year, I’ve had 201,098 page views-which means there are thousands of people reading my blog that I’ve never. even. met. I have email subscribers in Kenya, China, Indonesia, India, Turkey, Europe, Mexico, and others. I want to weep with joy just thinking about how God is allowing me to be a part of His story. For He is writing redemption on the hearts of people ALL ACROSS THE GLOBE.
Back in the fall, I encountered a thin place where I received an email from a girl who was desperate for Jesus and found healing words in one of my posts. I was very torn up over her email-but for a different reason than I orginally thought. I fell to my knees in my bedroom and begged God, “Oh please don’t let me mess this up. Please don’t let me mess this up.” I was in awe that He was using my words to draw you closer to Grace. Allowing me to be a part of His story. I was felt the weight and the enormous responsibility of the gift He has given me.
But the truth is, I will mess up and need Grace. I have fallen hard this year, doubted God, numbed myself, hated people, held tightly to bitterness, hurt friends, and turned my back on God. I am a far cry from perfect. I struggle with body image. I compare. I have a hard time paying attention and slowing down. I struggle with feeling like God owes me. I am greedy and often not satisfied. I am stumbling along just like each of you-clinging to hope, as my good Dad draws me back and reminds me of His Grace.
As C.S. Lewis said, God is not safe, but He is always good. His limitless grace has captured my heart and I just want to shout the words to this song.
Grace Like Rain(excuse the cheesy images)
Hallelujah// Grace like rain//Falls down on me//Hallelujah //All my stains//Are washed away
Brennan Manning expresses my heart beautifully:
“My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it.”
I want to thank each of you from the very bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Thank you for allowing me to speak His grace into your life. I have truly done nothing to earn or deserve such an extraordinary gift-and will do my best to continue to bring Him glory.
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Happy Birthday. I am glad I found your blog and thanks for always pouring your heart to us through your blog. I remember a blog post that made me cry…I couldn’t even comment to it, it spoke truth to my heart. I love reading your blog because I can relate to many of them and God has used it in different ways to speak to me.
Happy Birthday girl. Much love from Kenya.
Tatuu! I was thinking about you the other day. It seems too long since we’ve connected! Thanks for commenting and wishing me love and happy birthday from Kenya. It means so much!
Love from Nashville,
Ruthie
Ruthie, Thank you so much for your honesty and your willingness to share your heart in the pages of your blog. I am so glad I found your blog a couple months ago and every post i’ve read has blessed me. I hope you enjoy your birthday and pray that God overflows your cup with many more blessings.
Blessings,
E
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for your kind message. I’m so overwhelmed by God’s goodness to me. Where are you from? Wishing joy for you today!
Happy Birthday, Ruth…i’ve been meaning to tell you how i kinda miss your boots, but i love your blog regardless. Keep up the good work, and your chin up, too. Have a blessed day
Ha, the shoes?! I’ll send you the picture, if you’d like to have it for yourself:) I took that picture when I was traveling through the China countryside. Great memories. Thanks for reading my blog!
Ruthie!
Happy Birthday! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBbs8qq1FL8&feature=related
May God greatly surprise you today and always.
It’s a Blessing For each item you post, I’m always waiting and say “Lord, you’re going to speak in something that she write” wow .. and glory to God for all people as I can get you through a few days ago I shared with my friends the topic as you ever ignored God? uff Even still ringing in my head that topic … and I will never forget.
I bless you and your husband!
May God take you to new levels in all areas, that the heavens are open and that God will provide everything until on and abound.
I send you a super bear hug!
P. S. you send a friend request on fb =)
Happy Birthday, Ruthie! Remember, you can’t “mess this up” as long as you keep allowing God to be the One you hear from for your words to us (Psalm 81.10). You and your site here are such blessings to us!
Thanks, Beka! Here’s to another year of listening to God!
Hey first of all happy bday, i know God has many blessing for your life. And i wanted to tank you for sharing your stories with us, i dont remember how did i get here for the first time but i really loved it, i work with girls, in México from 11 years old and you dont have an idea how your blog has help us… we have a radio show and we share your stories most of the times, (obviusly we tell them its yours). Just wanted you to know.
If you visit México please tell us to invite you to a conference or something… we have every year a metting with girls from all México and we’ll be so blessed to have you here sometime…
Blessings.
Incredible. A radio show?! I love knowing that girls in Mexico are hearing about Grace. Thanks for the work YOU are doing there to build His Kingdom. Let’s stay in touch!
Dear Ruthie!
I hope you had the best birthday!! All the best for the upcoming year!! I often thought, I should write you and tell you that I read your blog for a few months now and that as soon as I get an eMail saying you wrote something new, you can be sure I click on it immediatly! Never was there an article, that didn’t move me, speak to me or encouraged me to stick with our God!! You are so blessed and you are such a blessing to me!!! All the best to you and Glory to HIM
Hugs and love from Germany,
Elena
Happy birthday! I love your blog, I always find your honesty so wonderful and there’s usually something that I can relate to and that speaks powerfully to me. And what is wonderful is that you’re married and living in Nashville, and I’m a single British girl yet God can still connect us through our desire to live for Him, which is so cool!
Love,
Louise
I agree! It’s one of my favorite parts about blogging-connecting with people I would never meet otherwise!
Happy birthday, sweet Ruthie! I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog this year! May this coming year be the best yet, always moving forward in His plan! Is this #26 or #27? I know we are around the same age, lol….
Thanks, Rae! I’m 27:)
Happy belated birthday! I have been reading your blog for a few months now and then saw you today in the summer Angelos. I was so excited to see a “sister-sister” (that’s what I call my sisters in Christ who are KD sisters- I’ve met a few since becoming a Christian!) featured and the Gospel proclaimed through your serving and fighting on behalf of injustice. Thank you for sharing your heart and your life on your blog. May God continue to bless you and glorify Himself!
AOT,
Tiffany (Delta-Eta, University of South Florida)
Hi Tiffany,
I’m so glad to connect with you! Thanks for the birthday wishes. I’m glad people actually read The Angelos:) I’d love to have more “sister sister’s” reading my blog.
Stay in touch!