Grace On Purpose.
Julie
Davis
Grace
Hi, I’m Julie.
In the fall 2012, Sherrie and I and the Ohio University girls’ Bible study began studying this story in Genesis 24. It took weeks, then months of reading, praying and asking the Spirit to grant us understanding before we came to the conclusion that GOD was telling us, “If you say ‘I will’ and sit still and trust me, I will bless you and show you amazing things!”
2012 was one of those years that tried to wear my family out. We tearfully buried my husband’s sister after a 13 year battle with cancer. Our family prayed through the deployment of our son and daughter-in-law to Iraq and Afghanistan, while our other four children were in the process of moving out and finding their way in this great big adult world. Next was my diagnosis of breast cancer and the surgeries and recovery that would follow. While we tried to maneuver the speed bumps and potholes, GOD continued to show us His amazing grace. It became obvious that He had enlisted my husband, children, family members, friends and voracious prayer warriors to be grace-givers.
When the idea of riding back in time with Rebekah and her bridesmaids was presented, we jumped on it. We pictured ourselves on the backs of our camels high and lifted up, hands waving in the air, giving the Spirit complete control of the reins. The thought of naming our camels was challenging for some but for me it was obvious. GOD had shown me His character of grace at every turn and now He would ask me to show grace to others. I will spend the rest of my life’s journey filtering everything I do and say and think through Grace, and Grace will lead me home... Amazing!
Sherrie
Alarid
On Purpose
Hi, I’m Sherrie and I’m riding *On Purpose.*
The power of saying "I will" has completely changed how I view my life. I have been a Christian for over 40 years. My husband, Steve, and I have raised 5 Crazy Good kids. I have home schooled, gone to church, taught Sunday school, served as an intercessor, been on prayer teams and have preached a few sermons on a Sunday morning, but for as long as I can remember I have had this nagging voice in my heart asking: "What are you doing? Why are you here? Are you doing enough? Are you doing too much?" People would talk about their calling. I didn’t have one; I had no set goals. I felt like I was drifting and random. I always felt I was in Plan B. I kind of let life happen to me, and it did.
The day I said ‘I will’ and climbed up on my camel and sat down in my identity and started riding hands free was the day all of that changed. For weeks I waited to know my camel’s name. I woke up to these words one morning: "Ride On Purpose." From that moment on, my life made sense.
Everything I do and have done is On Purpose. There is no plan B. I am in plan A where there is nothing missing, nothing broken, and nothing lost. Knowing my purpose is the very thing the enemy tried to steal from me. Purpose will carry me to my Bridegroom. I choose to stay On Purpose. The truth, freedom, provision, confidence, hope, and joy that came from knowing who was carrying me all this time is incredible. Everything I do, every conversation I have, every prayer I breathe, is On Purpose - His Purpose. My "yes" gave the Lord permission to search the inner most parts of my mind and heart and He holds me centered in His will. Being led by the Holy Spirit, I am seated and see life through His perspective from an elevated position. He shows me His miraculous transformation in me - and in others - as He adds to the Church daily. He has surrounded me with traveling companions and brings them alongside as we need each other. I don’t live well without them. I am no longer asking where I fit. I am actually in His perfect will and called to ride hands free, On Purpose for His Glory.
2 Tim 1:9 “He has saved us and called us to a Holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own Purpose and Grace. This Grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.”