Christians are supposed to be not only followers of Christ, but also a living example of His love and grace. However, I think we often get caught up in pointing out what is wrong or “un-Christian” in the world, and we forget what brought us into God’s loving embrace in the first place. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
1 John 3:1-3
We are all children of God, and we are never too far away, too far gone, or too bad that His love can’t reach us or welcome us back with wide open arms of grace. Joy Cannis’ story beautifully exemplifies this truth and I hope it blesses your heart as it has mine.

Leanne Penny

For a long time God has been nudging me about the need to be part of a community that not only shares their story, but speaks of redemption.  An honest connection for sharing how God has used our scars as unique qualifications to bring his light to the dark spaces.  

It all started with trying to write about my own story and being smacked in the face over how my childhood wounds make me the perfect mother for my own daughter.  And how my grief and loss has enabled me to talk about hope and tenacity in the valley.  

So I’m starting a series of sorts here on the blog where I’ll host and create space for other people to share their beautiful scars and painful yet unique qualifications.  A space for sharing our stories, even the most painful parts all for the purpose of glorifying a God…

View original post 1,331 more words