Truthful Grace
Renew your heart with these inspiring articles about our Creator God by author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin~ Truthful Grace. He is God. He is mighty. He is powerful. He is sovereign. See the wonder of God again.
By Melissa McLaughlin Following recent routine bloodwork, the lab’s extensive reports astonished me. I clicked through the long list of elements tested. I wondered at the miracle of blood and its seemingly endless contents. Have you ever wondered about the life-bearing qualities found in our blood? Fascinatingly, just one drop of blood contains thousands of … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin My fingers wrapped around the warm mug as I plopped down at the kitchen table. The smell of coffee drifted toward me. Sunlight streamed through the kitchen window. Our young black cat, Cookie, napped on her fleece bed in the corner. I gulped down the last drops of coffee in a hurry … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Birds belted out their spring chorus as warm air brushed against my cheek. The chains on our porch swing squeaked in rhythm as I glided back and forth. With supper on the stove, Mom hastened out the side door of our kitchen. She whisked away to the lower end of our driveway … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The wind shook our house in fury. Rain pelted the windows like liquid bullets. With a trembling heart, I prayed asking God to protect our family and home. That was the year the hurricane knocked our power out for two weeks. Suddenly, turning on the light or making coffee in the morning … 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 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 In still evening hush The lightning bug arises Commencing its summer dance of glory. Greenish yellow glow Twinkles on and then off Floating, flickering, fleeting. One blink and it’s gone. No loud boom of fireworks No harsh strobe lights or overdone efforts of mankind striving to be seen and heard. Human vain … 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 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 Blooming and Releasing My soul revives in spring glory. Earthy scents of wet soil Touch my nose in the puffy wind. Driving on highways Once barren and dark The world heard God’s call, “Out with the old, In with the new.” Buds, blooms, and blossoms awaken In rarest hues reserved for spring, … 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 God’s love is a rushing waterfall. Steadfast cleansing refreshing Carrying life onward and forever Unstoppable. God’s love is like downy snow. Effervescent, emanating light holy pure ever-fresh Endless design and delight. God’s love is a daffodil. Announcing life after winter’s cold death. Undaunted by nipping winds or packed earth. The dawning season … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Grateful as the falling leaves Releasing their tiny grip In joyful abandon Tumbling free Following the wind’s touch Lighting darkened alleys With splashes of orange, red, yellow, and brown Piling high in gutters and ditches Filling the world with remembrance… What once was living, though now dead, is still moving Announcing God’s … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Food for the Soul One bite is all it takes. Savoring a delicious meal is a simple pleasure in my life. The aromas, varied textures, and wonderful flavors bring delight. Even as I imagine a favorite dessert, my mouth begins to water. Taking a bite of apple pie is a little slice … 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
By Melissa McLaughlin The World’s Definition of Love I swayed to the rhythm and hummed along, “What’s love got to do with it? What’s love but a second-hand emotion?” Recently, while sitting in the waiting room at my doctor’s office, I listened to the lyrics of songs playing softly in the background. The repeating theme … 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 I have wondered about the tension between Christianity and the Old Testament Law for some time. I observe some Christians who live as if we have a license to sin because we are saved by grace and no longer under the Law. While on the other hand, I know some Christians who … 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 I stand amazed at the beauty of God’s Word, the Bible. God’s powerful plan of redemption in Christ echoes on and on. As we reflect on Psalm 24, the rich layers of God’s Word reverberate with His unchanging glory, truth and majesty. Let’s walk through this passage and ponder the wonders of … 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 One of the great pleasures of summertime is enjoying fruits and vegetables fresh from the garden. The deep red tomatoes, crunchy sweet cucumbers, lush green squash and overflowing beans. The list goes on and on and on. All year we wait for one bite of this sumptuous and long-awaited delicacy. As I … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin An Artist’s Image I love to gaze upon the beauty of an inspired piece of art. My husband is an artist and I enjoy pausing to reflect on his work for long stretches of time. The dynamic colors, the flowing brushstrokes, the composition of objects in the foreground and background, the images … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Have you ever felt the innermost part of your soul drying up and withering away? Like a plant left too long in the sweltering summer sun. Like a streambed gone too long with no replenishing rain. Like a person walking miles in the desert with a parched mouth and no water bottle … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin With each passing week it seems my heart sinks a little lower as I witness evil on every side, in ways large and small, near and far, both within and without. On a recent walk at a nearby park, as the heaviness pressed in on me, I cried out for my heavenly … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin His Spirit hovers Water swirls Earth mists Shapeless Formless Timeless Trembling Moving Waiting For God to speak In the beginning Genesis 1:1-2 Additional poems you might enjoy: Rock of Ages – Poem by Melissa McLaughlin Holy Symmetry – Poem by Melissa McLaughlin
By Melissa McLaughlin In the Potter’s hands He turns me Gently molding Firmly holding Heaven’s golding Bending Pressing Shaping Swirling Barely recognizing This old lump of clay Glimpse His glistening glory See His unfolding story Waiting while He works Here in the Potter’s hands Additional poems you might enjoy: Paperclip Prayer – Poem and Prayer … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Delicate trumpets Of sunshine yellow Heralding their Maker’s Joy! Making all things new The Creator And Re-Creator Of never-ending Beauty and grace Up from the grave He Lives! O come, Let us adore Him! Photo by Melissa McLaughlin Additional poems you might enjoy: All Things New – Poem by Melissa McLaughlin Song … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Speechless before the One Who holds all things in His hands The song of the ages Rings out in the starry night Shining, moving, singing An evening aria How can I add to such A heavenly Hallelujah? Yet He waits for the very note Only my heart can sing Gloria In Excelsis … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Beauty flutters by On gentle wings And graceful stripes And whispered melodies Stop me in my tracks Oh God Pause me in my hurried pace Of digitized frenzy And virtual strife To witness heaven’s hum Of unrushed sacred stillness When fluttering beauty comes Photo by Melissa McLaughlin Additional poems you may enjoy: … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Fearful symmetry Wild and wondrous Fierce and free Divinely designed Untameable infinite intricacy Complex chaos kept Powerful patterned play Fall in fear Before One who With but a breath Calls it to be Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty Creation testifies Glory! *Inspired by the poem Fearful Symmetry by William Blake Other … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin My Husband’s Art My husband, Tom McLaughlin, is an artist. And oh, how I love his creations! From pen and ink sketches, to oil and acrylic paints on canvas, to clay vases, to stylized calligraphy – it is all a wonder to me! One year for Christmas, my husband gave me an … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Power of a Name “What should we name her?” came the expectant and reverent voices of my children. My daughter had discovered an abandoned kitten in my parents’ barn. Crying, wailing, calling for someone to rescue her. And rescue her we did! Immediately we began preparations for welcoming a new kitten … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin His are the hands that formed the mountains His are the hands that flooded the seas His are the hands the shaped humankind His are the hands that came His are the hands that reached for his mother His are the hands that held hammer and saw His are the hands that … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin A seed is fallen, takes root, lifts her tiny arms A sunflower is born The sun warms her depths Up from the earth, the rain pulses through her Drawing strength from the Creator’s touch planted deep within Growing, reaching, stretching toward the golden Sunlight Strong now, steady, tall and mighty among all … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Lord, make me a paperclip for You Not glamorous, not noticed, but oh, so useful Let me hold people together with my small strength Let me be bent into new shapes… So I can unlock doors in lives where the keys are now lost; So I can be the hook on the … Read more