• Identity
  • Singleness
  • Love
  • Loss
  • Marriage
  • Motherhood
  • Mentoring
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Kindred Grace

  • About
  • Values
  • Contact
  • Guest Post

The Grace That Leads

Shannon Coe · 3 minute read

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print

I’ve lived through as many spiritual seasons as I have these earthy ones. Some of the seasons looked and felt like winter to me. Long and cold, with limited light and a feeling of loneliness on the side. It was constant work to keep the fires burning provided warmth to the soul. Other seasons held the breathtaking beauty of autumn, the warmth and light of summer, and the freshness and joy of spring. And over time, I’ve learned not to dread these seasonal changes of my life, because the grace of God has done more than just find me in each season of life; it has led me in and out of each one.

I used to think of grace as primarily a finding grace. Grace that found me in my messes and my seasons, the ones I created and the ones I was shoved into. And oh how I needed that finding grace in my young mothering days. I needed help right where I was, learning the art of mothering, friendship, and the ministry of a wife. The seasons could change daily. One day I knew my mission and had confidence. The next I doubted how this was all going to work out to God’s glory and so sure I was going to fail. But grace always found me, even though I didn’t always have the energy or the spiritual ability to seek Him like I needed to.

And in those pre-internet days, finding grace was not as simple as opening the smartphone and reading words of grace on blogs, apps, and social media status updates. Grace was often delivered through physical means. It relied on the saints to be intuitive, sensitive and more deliberate in ministering to each other.  A card in the mail, a cup of tea, a hug, a kind word — the blessed ways of God sending His affection to the women in the hard seasons of life.

But wherever we are and whatever our age, there is a hope to rely on in those winter seasons. We can claim the promise that God will find us, and like a loving Father come to our aid.

the grace that leads

But lately, I’ve been thinking that grace is as much about leading as it is finding. The grace God shows us is like a bridge. This bridge of grace bears the weight of the day and the hardship of the moment. It’s the unlikely favor of God, shown on us when our burdens feel too heavy. It finds us in our mess, yes. But it doesn’t leave us there. We aren’t just found: we will always be led out.

That leading grace often comes through the ministry of other women who have crossed a thousand bridges before us. For me, it was books, coffee talks, and letters from women intent on helping me see God when all I saw was chaos and carnage. I love that the grace bridges have such beautiful crossing guards.

Rest assured, these days of heavy burdens and weighty obligations won’t unwind you. His grace will find you in your messes, but He won’t leave you there. There in the middle of mud and the muck, if you listen you will hear His voice, and that will be your bridge out of that place. Every single time you kneel in prayer you move forward, advancing by every step of faith you take. And one day, you will see the bridge of grace behind you as you walk into a new place, a new season. And He will be there, as well.

You’ll find you aren’t the same woman at thirty that you were at twenty. The forties hold all kinds of glories with God. And the fifties, I hear, have their own treasures. But know this: grace has brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home. One bridge after another.

  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
Shannon Coe

Shannon Coe

Shannon Coe was blessed with the one thing she wanted most, a family. She lives her providential love story in West Virginia where her and her husband serve God. She writes about living in hard places but doing it with grace and victory.
Shannon Coe

Latest posts by Shannon Coe (see all)

  • When Queens Collide: How to Become a More Gracious Mother-in-Law - April 29, 2018
  • The Grace That Leads - February 4, 2015
  • How to Give the Gift of More Christmas, Less Fuss - December 8, 2014
  • How to Never Miss a Harvest - November 21, 2014
  • How to Worship from a Piano Bench or Anywhere - October 17, 2014
Shannon Coe
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
Print

Inspirational · February 4, 2015 · 5 Comments

You may also enjoy...

  • Suffering is not a competitive sportSuffering is not a competitive sport
  • Christmas Books Children LoveChristmas Books Children Love
  • Don’t Let the Artist DieDon’t Let the Artist Die
  • Is the Book Always Better? {A Conversation with a Film Maker}Is the Book Always Better? {A Conversation with a Film Maker}
Previous Post: « Why You Shouldn’t Be Looking For A Prince
Next Post: The power of complicated. »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

Comments

  1. AvatarTabitha says . . .

    February 6, 2015 at 8:27 am

    Thank you for the encouragement!

    Reply
    • AvatarShannon Coe says . . .

      February 10, 2015 at 6:56 pm

      You are welcome, Tabitha! So glad you found it encouraging. Grace always does that for us, doesn’t it?

      Reply
  2. Avatarmaureen says . . .

    February 5, 2015 at 6:53 am

    “I love the grace bridges that have such beautiful crossing guards”! Beautiful word picture!!

    Reply
    • AvatarShannon Coe says . . .

      February 10, 2015 at 6:56 pm

      You are welcome, Tabitha! So glad you found it encouraging. Grace always does that for us, doesn’t it?

      Reply
    • AvatarShannon Coe says . . .

      February 10, 2015 at 6:58 pm

      My sister! Love that we are in the crossing guard ministry together. We’ve been so blessed to be able to start to share what God has done for us. Love you!

      Reply

Join the Conversation Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

subscribe without commenting

Primary Sidebar

Avatar

Shannon Coe

Shannon Coe was blessed with the one thing she wanted most, a family. She lives her providential love story in West Virginia where her and her husband serve God. She writes about living in hard places but doing it with grace and victory.

read more posts

Courage, dear heart; God is writing your story. He created you. He is the One Who gives you identity.

In Him, there is hope. There is freedom. There is grace.

Recent Posts

How to Pray for Other People

Broken Relationships and the God Who Heals

When Life Doesn’t Look Like You Expected

Sponsored Links

Footer

Popular Posts

  • How to Pray for Other People
  • Broken Relationships and the God Who Heals
  • When Life Doesn’t Look Like You Expected
  • How to Find Freedom from Guilt and Shame
  • Ever After: The Best Fairy-Tale Retellings for Christian Readers

In-Laws Loss Friendship Mentoring

What is grace?

We'd love to tell you a story... We believe there is no room for self-righteousness or for self-condemnation in hearts that have been given life by His transforming love.

He walked straight into a story of brokenness and pain. For us. And grace is the ability to fellowship again. Read more...

Join the Community

Books by Kindred Grace Authors

Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links. Your clicks and purchases help support Kindred Grace.
About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Contact
Copyright © 2021 Kindred Grace · All Rights Reserved
Photography & Graphic Design by JenniMarie · Site by Gretchen Louise