When I found out I had the exciting opportunity to write a guest post for (In) Courage today, I wasn’t sure what to write about.

The theme was Grace, I was told.

Grace.

It’s something that’s impacted my life for sure.

Years ago, when I was in college and struggling with my self-image and food, it was Grace that touched my heart and gave me a new perspective…

on everything.

But writing about that felt too personal.

Yes, I’ve mentioned it before. Briefly. And I’ve even written a fictional novel based on it.

But to share more?…

I don’t know.

The thought scared me.

Yet as I sat down at my computer to write my post,

that’s exactly what came out:

Grace…

is the unexplainable hope

that washes away

the accusing whispers that dance in the darkness

and hide behind the mirror

and say, “You need to be thinner

and thinner

and thinner.”

Grace…

is the light that calls you

toward something so good that you’re scared to trust it.

You might even ignore it at first,

thinking it’s not for you.

Instead,

you try to get better

and fix things on your own.

You try to be strong.

Confident.

Perfect.

But hours of 3:00 a.m. sit-ups,

calorie counting,

dieting,

scrutinizing,

and hiding,

will make a person fall.

Yet Grace…

is the mighty hand that will catch you

and promise you

that you don’t have to be

perfect.

That you are loved

exactly

the way you are.

Grace…

is the gentle voice that lifts your chin,

tugs at your heart,

and encourages you to believe.

And when you do,

Grace rains

and pours

and washes away

moments,

days,

years,

of worry and trying,

trying,

trying,

on your own.

Grace…

restores your dreams,

fills your heart,

melts your fear,

and opens your eyes

so that you are once again able to see the beauty

in the world

and in yourself.

Grace…

is the free gift from God

that has the power to heal,

to renew,

to deliver,

no matter what your struggle is.

If only you’ll let it.

Grace…

is the cross.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. –Ephesians 2:8

read more over at (In) Courage.