Truthful Grace
Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin, and grow in Truthful Grace as we ignite the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds, prayers and lives. Grow in Christ, grow in the knowledge of His Word, the Bible, grow the passion in your prayers.
By Melissa McLaughlin The water in our backyard spritzed and sprayed like a center city fountain. But it didn’t come from a hose. Birds in all shapes and sizes waited at the edge of our birdbath with eyes alert. When one flitted away, a new bird dove in. Each bird plunged its wings and beak … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Autumn leaves twirl to the ground signaling the curtain call. In that final moment before taking a bow, the withering foliage announces the close of one season. By God’s wondrous design, the fall leaves also prepare for the next as they release nourishment into the earth for future growth. If you live … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin My gut wrenched. Tears spilled from my eyes. I was overcome as I scanned pictures of the recent hurricane damage in the southeast U.S. Piles of rubble and jagged tree roots now dotted the landscape where homes once stood. Roads had collapsed as the earth gave way underneath. The devastation looked surreal. … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin “That’s not how we play the game! You broke the rules,” he chided. “Who made you boss?” she glared back. As an elementary teacher, I witnessed countless arguments on the playground. Many of these clashes resulted from one child striving to rule over another or someone breaking an agreed-upon boundary. All too … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin A sigh slipped through my lips. I was snuggled together with the kids for bedtime stories. One of our favorite family activities to close out the day. But that night, I was bone-tired. Gravity pulled my eyelids. The book weighed down my arms. Though groggy-minded, I pushed through. Normally, I read with … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The fluttering movement caught my eye. We had been hiking with our kids on a family vacation. Along the way, we observed lush green foliage. We leaned against towering trees and listened to a mountain stream tumbling over rocks beside the hiking path. After finishing our hike, we stepped off the trail … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Childlike Gratitude The notes jingled in the distance. My children’s faces perked up, their eyes brightened, and the pleading commenced. The anticipation was palpable when the ice cream truck stopped in our neighborhood. This was not quality ice cream, mind you. The ice creams cost $1. Our choices included sherbet popsicles shaped … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Our eyes sparkled as his voice carried us along. Dad and Mom read bedtime stories to us during our early childhood years. We soaked up these tales of chocolate factories, children slipping through a wardrobe, and small hobbits on grand adventures. Dad and Mom were excellent readers who drew us into the … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin My mouth watered as the spicy aromas wafted through the pizzeria. I stood at the counter waiting to pay for our take-out pizzas. The teenage cashier collected my payment. I noticed the tip jar on the counter beside her. It was empty. I rummaged through my purse and reached to place money … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin I reached down, pulled out a seedling, and paused in wonder. God made that! I was heading to the backyard to check on our tomato plants. Instead of lush tomatoes, I discovered maple seedlings blanketing the flowerbeds and garden. A sea of sprouts had popped up seemingly overnight, announcing their arrival with … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin A Precarious Moment As I peered down, my body froze. I was painting the dormer windows on the roof of our home. Though a small Cape Cod house, the roof was steep. I had propped the ladder against the roof and scrambled up. With my paint bucket and brush in one hand, … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Does Anyone Know My Name? Though surrounded by people, I was unknown. This was my first time attending overnight summer camp with a friend. I was nine years old and we were both excited for a new adventure. We settled into our cabin, shared our names and a few tidbits about ourselves, … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin It is Finished The cross fades. The tomb lies empty. The Savior is alive! Glancing back, we reminisce and then peer ahead with new hope and strength. We remember the final moments of Jesus’ earthly ministry. As He drew His last breath, Jesus groaned, “It is finished.” It. Is. Finished. Three small … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Sweetest Story Ever Told Are you looking for a fun way to retell the sweetest story ever told? The Gospel. The Good news. The Easter story. We want everyone to hear the story of Christ’s rescue mission to save us through His life, death, and resurrection! But maybe you’d like to … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Train’s Call Oftentimes in the evening, I can hear a train whistle in the distance. Though miles from our house, still the train’s horn floats over the air. After daytime noises have died down, the engine’s song echoes over hills and valleys, announcing its trek through the night. It reminds me … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Doing the Small Thing The weekend was a blur. Hours flew by with fun-filled family visits, joyful birthday dinners, board games at the table, and life’s myriad details scattered in between. As my husband and I drove home from our last family event, I mentioned in passing that I ran out of … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin A New Year in Christ Each year my goal is to deepen my relationship with Christ. When I think back to the place where my faith journey began, I am amazed to see how far God has brought me. From my earliest memories, I believed in God and felt His love for … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Have You Met the King? I never met our President. My tiny sphere of influence does not include the King or Queen of any country, for that matter. I’m just an ordinary person. But there is a King who knows my name. And I matter to His kingdom. In Isaiah 9:6-7 we … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Love Through the Pain Searing pain torched my back. Longstanding back issues, combined with the strain of age and use, resulted in physical agony that brought me to a complete halt. Following therapy, medication, treatments, and all manner of medical interventions, I found myself on the surgeon’s schedule for back surgery. And … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Hunt I searched high and low to no avail. Where could it be? I had purchased a multipack box of disinfecting wipes earlier in the month for spot cleaning around the house. The first pack of wipes was used up. So during a recent cleaning frenzy, I rushed to grab the … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Following Jesus We’ve all been there. There is a sting when we don’t fit in. Friends at school make plans for their party, but we don’t make the list. Co-workers overlook us during the lunch conversation. People give us that uncomfortable side-glance when we pray over meals. An unbeliever on social media … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin A Morning View The scene took my breath away. I slipped downstairs to turn on the coffee and begin my day with quiet prayer. In early mornings my eyes are drawn to the windows for a quick peek outdoors. God’s amazing artistry always brightens my outlook. I anticipate the wonders He creates … Read more
Following God’s Call Interview with Yvonne Morgan Yvonne Morgan is a gifted Christian author and speaker who is also dear friend. Her life and faith have deeply inspired me. She uplifts others in big ways and small, through missions work, through writing, and through faith in action. Yvonne writes a weekly blog sharing authentic stories … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Enduring to reach the goal It was not what we expected. With a list of errands in hand, we stopped at a nearby store planning to run in, grab an item or two and cruise on to the next destination. Eagerly, we gathered up the things we needed, perused a few clearance … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin A Grandmother’s Faith We called her Nanny. With a ready smile and sweet spirit she radiated an inner contentment, the peace that only God can provide. Nanny’s steadfast faith in Christ, despite illness and hardships, endeared her to me and all who knew her. It was a thrill whenever she came to … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin When Days are Cold The air stung my cheeks as we trudged along that winter day. An overcast sky shadowed our steps. A hint of snow whispered in the wind. We hiked this same trail just a few months earlier, our senses flooded with rich fall foliage, vivid colors and the scent … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Alone The accident should have taken my life. As each ominous moment unfolded, I called on the only name that can save. Jesus. I was alone in the car. Alone to witness what should have been my last breath. Alone to experience a miraculous rescue by God. Alone in the aftermath of … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Anxieties of Life With each passing day, it seems the weight of this world grows heavier. Turmoil and division on every side. The cost of living rising steadily. Empty shelves and help wanted signs. Concerns for health with varying and opposing viewpoints. Media, culture and entertainment in outright opposition to God’s … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Unstoppable Power They have a power all their own. The patches of stubborn, unmelted snow still cling to the earth, gripping the edges of our souls with the frigid bite of winter. But there they are- unthwarted, unstoppable, undaunted. Up from the earth. Up from the shadows. Up from the seeming stillness … Read more
A Lifelong Pursuit of Christ As followers of Christ, we discover a journey that takes us through nourishing, green pastures, still waters of refreshment and at times, deep, dark valleys. Our Good Shepherd saves us, leads us, cares for us and loves us all along the way. Therefore, our greatest desire is to live for … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin A Memory of Love As a child, one of the highlights of our school year was Valentine’s Day. Once a year, we brought a shoe box to school and cut an opening on top. With energetic hands, sparkling eyes, construction paper and crayons, we transformed used cardboard boxes into personal mailboxes for … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Overcoming We often feel our problems are too big or our struggles too great for the LORD to help us overcome. Take heart, the God who created us, can re-create us from the inside out, if we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and LORD and yield to His Spirit’s work … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Rock There it stood. Rugged, wild and immovable. Our family excursion to Maine brought us to the picturesque Pemaquid Point. We climbed along the rocky outcropping that stood firm against the onslaught of ocean waves. Though the waves rolled in, crashing with rhythmic force, yet the rock stood firm. We stood … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Gift of a Year As we close out one year and look ahead to a new one, we can be thankful. For we have been given the gift of a year. As long as our hearts are still beating, God isn’t finished with us yet. And that alone is reason to … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Whole World Sings How the sun sparkled! It was a sunny morning after a big winter storm. A nor’easter. A December storm that dumped snow, sleet and freezing rain on our community through the night. We awoke to a blanket of white as far as the eye could see. Still untouched, … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Gift of a Child How their innocent eyes twinkled with glee! I remember with such fondness, the days when my children were preschoolers and brought me gifts for Christmas. They rummaged through the toy box and selected a treasured gift to give. With little fingers, they wrapped the items in Kleenex … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Love in a letter Aunt Gladys always sent the funniest letters. I have many loving aunts and uncles who each extended kindness and support to me in various ways through the years. Aunt Gladys’ specialty was letters. No fancy stationery for Aunt Gladys. Her words were penned on whatever was handy at … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Comforting Hymns Some of the old hymns comfort my heart like a warm blanket on a cold night. In these times of heightened division, violence and fear, humming an old tune like “It is Well with My Soul” can reframe my vision and be a healing balm to my aching heart. The … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin A Gift of Faithfulness As part of my Mother’s Day gift this spring, my husband and children helped me plant a small deck garden using tubs, buckets and flower pots. Like any faithful gardener, they helped me place and cover the seeds in rich soil, then provided proper moisture and sunlight for … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The weight of sadness in this world with its division, hatred, animosity and harshness, at times feels like a heavy blanket of evil pressing against my soul. Every word spoken, seems to assume the worst and allows for no grace. Every news cast highlights the most destructive possible view of humanity. Every … Read more