Truthful Grace
Renew your heart with these inspiring articles about Knowing God by author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin~ Truthful Grace. God made you. God loves you. God wants you to be near and know Him more.
By Melissa McLaughlin I stepped into the bedroom to grab my sneakers. My eyes darted back and forth as I searched. Suddenly, an unexpected sight caught my attention. A small, glowing shape illuminated the green laundry basket in the corner. My curiosity piqued. I bent down for a closer look. My eyes squinted. “What is … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Rain pounded on the roof. The storm winds rattled our windows. A low rumble brought a shiver through the house. Lightning flashed. Thunder roared, piercing our ears with a blasting boom. Then everything went dark. I blinked and looked around. The power had gone out in our entire neighborhood, leaving us in … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Ding! A sign lit up at the front of the plane—“Fasten Your Seatbelts.” The airplane rattled and jiggled our bodies. I leaned back. My head vibrated and shook against the headrest. My fingers clenched the armrest cushion. A quick prayer slipped through my lips, “Jesus, help us.” Soon, the pilot’s soothing voice … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin As children, we anticipated each holiday with barely contained joy. We asked “how much longer” and counted the days. We reminisced about previous years’ events and dreamed of once-a-year foods, family gatherings, gifts, and celebrations and music at church. Now that I am an adult (with the passing of many years), holidays—or … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin “It’s mine!” he claimed. “No, it’s mine!” she retorted. With hands pulling, muscles straining, and teeth clenching, a tug of war ensued. As an elementary school teacher, recess often included resolving ownership disputes. With a little detective work, I would determine the rightful owner, request apologies, and redirect students to neutral playground … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin As frigid winter temperatures released their grip on the earth, my young eyes scanned our yard for springtime buds. Among the first signs of the new season were pussy willows. Each year in March, my mom cut branches to create a spriggy springtime bouquet for our table. My small fingers stroked the … 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 Little fingers gripped chunky crayons and bright markers. Their eyes sparkled and their arms whooshed. Young voices echoed with excitement. When my kids were young, one of their favorite summertime activities was decorating boxes. Not just any box, however. Each year, my parents visited local stores to pick up discarded refrigerator boxes. … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Crunch, crunch, crunch. My boots stomped the icy snow as I trudged to the car. With unplowed roads, a snowy stillness blanketed the earth. The sound of crispy footsteps tingled in my ears. I stopped to listen. The snowstorm painted a white canvas for the eyes and enfolded the world in frosty … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Her fingers gripped the handlebars, and her feet thrust down on the pedals. With eyes focused in deep concentration, she poured her full strength into the task. It seems like yesterday our children learned to ride a two-wheeled bike. When each child was ready, my husband removed the training wheels. With one … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin My stomach lurched as I listened. My friend, Cindy, had called with an update. Her voice trembled. She faltered, “The doctors discovered I have stage 4 cancer. I am stunned. I had no red flags. No early symptoms.” Hot tears streamed down my cheeks. I choked out the few words I could … 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 God of eternity, Brilliance of heaven, Blazing shimmers of transcendent spark, Unrestrained flashes, swirling flames, eclipsing Northern lights. For time immemorial, Generation upon generation, Basked in celestial wonders of endless rippling, Yesterday, today, and a thousand tomorrows. You are untouched, Unmarred, Untarnished, By creaking bones, rusty corrosion, or decay’s malodorous stench. Undiminished … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin I love reading the Psalms. Every human emotion is captured in poetic song. In addition, the Psalms are packed with God’s wisdom, truth, and prophetic word. During a recent study of Psalm 1, I was overwhelmed by the depth and breadth of this chapter. I must have read this Psalm a thousand … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin After a quick scan of the headlines, my soul ached. “How much longer, Lord? How much longer until Jesus returns? Why are You waiting so long?” As we gaze across the landscape of humanity, it seems each new day ushers in greater depths of mankind’s sin. We witness violence, hatred, division, and … 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 The aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies wafted through the house. Our kids came running. When my children were young, they loved helping make cookies. Chocolate chip cookies topped their list. They rushed to the kitchen to assist. Their eyes twinkled as they mixed the batter and stirred the chocolate chips. … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin My heart soared. We had attended a Christian concert with our then-teenage kids. The band’s voices and instruments swelled combining with the vast crowd to lift the name of Jesus through song. It felt heavenly. I watched my kids’ faces alight with divine joy. Right then, I recalled another time when I … 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 was sailing down the highway to an appointment when traffic stopped. Cars piled up and came to a standstill. I leaned forward scanning the scene to locate the cause. Minutes ticked by and still nothing. Finally, I noticed a man straining to move a heavy load of turf across the highway. … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin There she sat. The sunlight floated through the window like a golden sheet enfolding our gray-striped cat. I smiled at our cat’s daily routine. Each day she squeezed into cracks and corners brightened by any available ray of sunshine. On floors, chairs, even in the bathroom. As the sun advanced across the … 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 Please join me in prayer for mothers, grandmothers, aunts, or mother figures. Let’s remember the godly women who have nurtured us and lift them in prayer today. If you are a mother, this prayer is for you, too. Heavenly Father, thank you for lavishing your love on us. Today, I pray a … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Finding God’s Comfort in Devastating Loss His story caught my attention, and a lump caught in my throat. I was listening to a sermon on the radio. The pastor shared about a family vacation where his young son was hit by a car and died within minutes of the accident. He and … 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. After check-in, the counselors led us to our cabin to settle in. We rolled … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin We Need a Hero Sometimes we need a hero. To be encouraged by someone who lives with fierce faith in God. To hear again a testimony that inspires. During my recent Bible reading, one such unlikely heroine caught my attention. Her name is Rahab. Her spirit bright with faith, Rahab threw herself … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Memories of Love My eyes welled up and a lump caught in my throat. While cleaning some piles of dusty books in the basement, my husband unearthed a few old photos of our children when they were young. I gazed at their tender faces, and recalled hearts of gold and smiles as … 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 A New Name My eyes tear up as I remember that day. It seems like only yesterday we said, “I do.” I met my husband at church. Our tender friendship grew into a committed relationship and culminated in our marriage a few years later. We celebrated this sacred occasion with a worshipful … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Seeing God With Us It was a simple thing. My husband and I paused for a brief rest. The daily grind of laundry, bills, cooking, and errands hemmed us in like hamsters on an exercise wheel. Despite running as hard as possible, the finish line appeared just out of reach. At one … 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 Powerful Prayer in Song I woke that morning to a surprise from God. Just as my eyes opened a praise song popped into my head. Blessed be the name of the Lord ~by Don Moen I hadn’t heard this song in years. The music and lyrics echoed in my heart for … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin Why Did God Save Us? Why did God save us? That’s easy. The answer rolls right off our tongues- because God loves us, of course! God sent Jesus because He desired to rescue us from hell and bring us to heaven. (John 3:16) Yes, it’s true, God loves us. Yet, scripture teaches … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The Feast of Tabernacles is the last of three fall feasts appointed and initiated by God in the Old Testament. The Feast (or Festival) of Tabernacles is also referred to as: The Feast of Booths / Ingathering / Shelters or in Hebrew “Sukkot”. The word Sukkot is the plural form of “sukkah” … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin One of my favorite summertime joys is seeing flowers arrayed in their colorful, radiant glory. My parents have the most amazing bush that blooms each year during mid-summer months. Every evening at dusk several blossoms on the Evening Primrose burst open and fully expand within about 45 seconds. First we stand back … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin The first time I participated in a time of prayer and fasting was in high school. In order to raise awareness and raise money to fight world hunger, our church youth group organized a sleepover at the church that included a time of prayer and fasting. This afforded us the opportunity to … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin In a world of lies and questionable news, it’s hard to know what to believe. Like any other child, when I was young, I peppered my parents with all kinds of questions. I never wondered if they were telling me the truth. If they knew the answer, they told me, and it … Read more
By Melissa McLaughlin We are living in a time we could never have imagined. The world and its systems have come to a screeching halt. Businesses, schools, churches, activities, travel have all been put on hold. In a matter of weeks, the coronavirus pandemic turned the spotlight on the fragility of our lives. The simple … Read more