the {PureGrace}Life blog

Yes, I've changed blog names....again. I promise it's not an obsession and I can assure you that this is it. This is something I've been thinking about doing for some time and I've held off on doing so only because I do feel somewhat foolish for going through another change. While I do enjoy keeping a blog, I've never really felt "at home" on it.  Perhaps the lack of emotional attachment is part of the reason why posts can be few and far between. Who knows. Regardless, I really wanted to create a space that represented me.

Though most people call me "Sue", my full name is "Susanne". With an "s", not a "z". Sort-of like Anne with an "e"...I'm very touchy about it. :) It's always been somewhat humorous, that, Susanne with an "s" means  "pure & graceful", because "graceful" I most certainly am not. However, I now believe that my name was no accident...dare I say even providential? Keep reading.

"Grace" is my favorite word. It is beautiful and powerful...and a constant reminder that my very life, both mortal and situational, exists only because God willed it so.  Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary defines grace as:

• Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.
• Favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin.
• A state of reconciliation to God.
• The application of Christ's righteousness to the sinner.
• A state of reconciliation to God.
• Favor; mercy; pardon.
• Favor conferred.
• Privilege.

Even though I knew the Truth, I spent almost 10 years of my life chasing the World and everything in it.  Every single thing I did was to gratify my love of self. I intentionally chose a lifestyle that hurt many people, including those I loved and even some I barely knew. It was a mere 5 years ago that the irresistible grace of God drew me from the bondage of self and into His loving arms. And I was made pure.

On the header, you see the phrase "mercy's robe, a ring of grace, such favor undeserved". That line is taken from this song that may as well be my life, given words and set to music. If you like, please take a moment to listen to it. I will never understand God's amazing love that causes Him to sing and celebrates over me!

But I do understand that everything I have, everything I am, my family, and my position in life at this very moment is sola gratia...by Grace alone.

I am privileged, honored, and forever humbled that He chose me, Susanne, to live this {PureGrace}Life.