Tuesday, January 4

For Edie

Life in Grace is a wonderful blog. Actually, Life in Grace is more than a wonderful blog. It's the journal of a woman who is living just exactly the kind of life you'd expect for someone whose blog has a name like that.

Edie is full of grace. She knows the One who gives her grace; she takes no credit for the life she's been given. In fact, her blog tagline is "living a dream we don't deserve."


But Edie is a woman who isn't content simply to be full of grace herself. She could be, you know--with a husband and six kids and a busy life homeschooling the younger group of those, no one would begrudge her just living in grace, using all that grace to minister to her family.

But Edie is more than full of grace. She's full to overflowing. She overflows with joy and exuberance, with more than enough love and care to go around.

I first met Edie through her blog, of course. Back in the fall of 2009, I was already a reader and fan of hers. She decided to put together a series of posts called "12 Days of Handmade Christmas," and she put forth a call to crafters, asking for submissions of crafts that would make good gifts. Hesitantly, I contacted her, suggesting that I could write a post about the homemade fudge I make every year. Edie didn't know me, so I wasn't sure if my little idea would be good enough to include in her series.

Since no description I could write would do justice to Edie's spirit, here's the email she sent to me:

Richella,

Oh I'm a huge fan of homemade fudge and make it every year myself!!! I'd love to have you participate. If you don't mind to show it packaged up somehow in a festive Christmas-y way---that way it's easy to imagine giving it as a gift. I would need you to email me the post in 2-3 weeks. Let me know if you need help doing that----I just recently learned how to do it! I've been snoopin' around on your blog and I love it. Very nice to meet you.

Hugs and blessings,
edie

Can't you just feel the welcoming spirit oozing out of that little email? "Very nice to meet you," she says. And just after that, "Hugs and blessings." Not "sincerely," or "Have a nice day." No, "Hugs and blessings" are what Edie offers, even to someone she's just met.

Grace is, I'm convinced, the single greatest need of our hearts. Without God's grace we would be lost. Edie can tell you that with God's grace, we're not lost, even when all seems lost. And she'll do more than that. She'll let God's grace spill out of her, and it'll splash onto you. She'll hug you and bless you.

And you'll thank God that, 41 years ago today, He brought such a beautiful life in grace to this world.

Happy birthday, Edie.

**Joining lots of friends for Edie Day at Life in Grace**

16 comments:

  1. this is so beautiful richella :) and you... you are also full of grace to overflowing, even though you might not realize it. what a beautiful tribute to edie :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I haven't been a regular reader of Edie's blog, but I did hear about her house fire and have checked in a couple times since then. I can tell from the way she's handling that situation that she is indeed full of grace.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a sweet post about Edie. I have visited her blog a few times and very much enjoyed it. I hated to hear of her house fire. Bless her heart! She's an inspiration for sure. But then again, sweet Richella, so are you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful post for Edie. Thank you for sharing a piece of your heart as well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for your comment!! We are both NC girls!! Look forward to reading through your blog! Edie, is all you described her as....isn't it amazing how God has allowed our paths to cross through the blog posts??!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I follow Edie's blog and feel so badly for all involved. I was so very shocked when I read about the fire but so relieved when I read that her family were all unharmed. You wrote such a beautiful post for her and she's going to love it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Her blog sounds wonderful! I'll check it out. You know that you are full of grace too! Carla

    ReplyDelete
  8. Richella,
    Thanks for watching the Razorbacks and rooting for them! Obviously , they need HELP!! We are sitting up in our bonus room on our new furniture "trying" to enjoy the Sugar Bowl but things look bleak!

    I felt such sadness for a sweet person like Edie in her loss. It is hard to understand but talk about the picture of GRACE...it is certainly a word to describe her. We never know day to day what we will face, do we? Thankfully we DO know who holds us in His hands and I could not live one day without that knowledge!

    Happy New Year and many blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so glad I met Edie. Thank you both for blessing my day.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hey Richella! Thank you for the sweet note! Your post was beautiful! I didn't realize you were in NC... so am I! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Such a sweet post for Edie. I don't know her either but I read her blog off and on. I am so heartbroken for her and praying that the Lord puts His arms around her family and brings her some much needed peace.

    ReplyDelete
  12. SO, that was YOUR fudge...now I remember!!
    How beautiful of you to write her a birthday post--I thought about it, too, because my cafe' cabinets were inspired by her blue kitchen cabinets. I haven't gotten to the post yet...I may try.
    You always inspire me, too, Richella.
    Thank you for your kind words and gracious heart!
    HUGS,
    ~me

    ReplyDelete
  13. thank you sweet richella. thank you so much, for posting, for praying and for caring. i remember well meeting you for the first time and i'm so thankful i did. you have such a kind, sweet encouraging spirit. bless you friend.
    hugs and lots of love,
    edie

    ReplyDelete
  14. If you are open to having a guest blog poster please reply and let me know. I will provide you with unique content for your blog, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a beautiful tribute to Edie. How I would love to meet you and her in person!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I just found your blog Richella; love the english teacher spot. I will be visiting again soon.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I read every one; they make my day. If you have a specific question, please be sure your email address is attached to your profile or leave your email address in the comment; I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Every blessing!