Debbie Macomber - Patterns of Grace: Devotions from the Heart

Patterns of Grace

ISBN 978-0-8249-4533-6

Published by Guideposts

16 East 34th Street

New York, NY 10016

Guideposts.org

Copyright 2012 by Debbie Macomber. All rights reserved.

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Acknowledgments

Every attempt has been made to credit the sources of copyrighted material used in this book. If any such acknowledgment has been inadvertently omitted or miscredited, receipt of such information would be appreciated.

Scripture references are from the following sources: The Holy Bible, King James Version ( KJV ). The Holy Bible, New King James Version ( NKJV ). Copyright 1997, 1990, 1985, 1983 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. The Revised Standard Version Bible ( RSV ), copyright 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The Holy Bible, New Living Translation ( NLT ), copyright 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. The Message ( MSG ). Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. The Living Bible ( TLB ) 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. The New Century Version ( NCV ). Copyright 1987, 1988, 1991, 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover and interior design by David Carlson | Studio Gearbox

Cover photograph by Corbis Photography

Typeset by Jeff Jansen | Aesthetic Soup

Printed in China

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Im a shameless knitter, and part of the enjoyment I receive from knitting is looking at patterns. Ill find one that looks like a fun knit, do a search through my accumulated stash for the perfect yarn and then reach for my knitting needles.

Over the years Ive been an eyewitness to the patterns God has woven into my life. Ive written about them. Sometimes Gods hand is obvious and at other times He can be understated and subtle, patiently waiting for me to acknowledge Him working behind the scenes. To me these are patterns of grace. Gods grace.

These devotions were originally printed by Guideposts in the annual devotional book they publish, Daily Guideposts. Id read this devotional for years and came to know the writers like family. In a manner of speaking they are my family; my Christian family. Then I met one of these writers, Mary Lou Carney, on a chance encounterbut really, is anything by chance when God is involved? Mary Lou encouraged me to submit my own devotions, which I did, and as they say, the rest is...an entire book titled Patterns of Grace.

My prayer is that this book will bless you in your own walk with the Lord, that upon examination you will recognize Gods hand in your life... patterns of grace that He has lavished upon you.

No project such as this is accomplished as a sole effort. My appreciation is extended first and foremost to Wendy Lawton, who is far more than my nonfiction agent and a God friend. Without her organizational skills I fear this book wouldnt have been possible. Also I owe appreciation to Andrew Attaway, the Guideposts editor who guided me through the devotional writing process. And to Rebecca Maker, the editor for Patterns of Grace. My husband Wayne, who is ever patient with me, and our children and grandchildren, who are often the instruments God uses to teach me lessons on grace.

Enjoy.

Debbie Macomber

March 2012

God created us to dream. When we fail to dream, we rob Him of the opportunity to do great things. Sometimes we shy away from dreaming big dreams. Maybe we dont want to ask for too much. Maybe we somehow dont feel worthy. But over and over again in the Bible, the Lord instructs us to envision what He can do. Our job is to dream.

I grew up in Yakima, Washington, with a large extended family. We cousins were as close as brothers and sisters; we lived in the same neighborhood, attended the same church and school and often vacationed together.

After I married Wayne and moved to Kent, just a few miles south of Seattle, my cousin David, who was closest to me in age, developed leukemia. His doctors sent him to Seattles Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Although I didnt often venture into the big city, I was determined to visit David.

Somehow I ended up at Swedish Hospital, which is connected to Fred Hutchinson by a sky bridge. Lost and confused, I wandered down a number of corridors without finding the bridge. Finally, I stopped a doctor and asked if he could give me directions.

Its simple, he assured me. All you need to do is walk down this hallway, take the first right and walk through the door marked A BSOLUTELY N O A DMITTANCE .

Those directions did more than show me the way to my cousin. Somehow, that experience has given me the courage to walk through other doors: my dyslexia that I feared would keep me from working; my terror of speaking in front of people. God has met me at the door marked A BSOLUTELY N O A DMITTANCE and held it open for me.

Father God, thank You for the obstacles You send into my life that have taught me to rely only on You.

One of my favorite verses

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

L AMENTATIONS 3:23 ( NLT )

M y husband Wayne and I were blessed with four children in a five-year span. By the time Dale, our youngest, was born, I hadnt slept through the night in three long years. The house was in constant chaos, and in those predisposable diaper days, the washing machine was going day and night. My hands were more than full with the demands of our growing family. Thankfully, I was blessed with wonderful parents who visited us often. Soon after Dales arrival, my mother came to help.

Early one morning, when our newborn woke for his feeding, his older sisters and brother came looking for attention. Jody sat on one knee and Jenny on the other, and Ted shared space with his infant brother on my lap. All too soon, the older three started squabbling and whining.

My mother woke up and joined us in the living room. Oh, Debbie, she said with a smile, these are the happiest days of your life. Aghast, I looked at her and said, Mom, you mean it gets worse?

Now, in retrospect, I can see how very blessed I was. Mom had the perspective to see it then; thank God, I can see it now.

Lord, give all parents the patience, the prayer and the sense of humor they need to raise their children in Your grace