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Join Christian authors as they share their "Songs of Salvation" to uplift and encourage believers and glorify God.
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And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.
Revelation 12:11 NLT
The Kindness of God
Recently The Writing Desk was nominated for the Romantic Times Book Club (RT) Inspirational Novel of the Year.
This award is one of the few the author or publisher does not enter. The reviewers at the magazine nominate their picks and selections are made.
The Wedding Dress was honored with the award in 2013. And it is truly an honor to be nominated. Cliché? Maybe. But in this case it’s true.
I was meditating on this honor as I flew to Nashville recently for a board meeting. My flight was delayed over and over by the big southern snow storm of 2018 and I spent a lot of time sitting on airplanes and in airports.
“God, You are so kind.”
He’s the judge in the middle giving us a 10.0 when everyone else sees us as mediocre.
In reality, I don’t deserve to be nominated for an award much less win. My attitude stinks sometimes and I complain about things I cannot change. I battle the occasional flare of author jealousy. Or the opposite, the flare of author doubt.
Then an award nomination comes through and I’m completely humbled.
“God, You are so kind.”
Mid flight, my thoughts shifted to a leadership issue I was facing in another arena of my life. I was contemplating strict action with an individual when the Lord said, “No, give him opportunity.”
Undeserved opportunity.
Immediately I knew what to do. I felt the kindness of God kissing my heart. This is His leadership style. When all arrows point to demotion or reduction of privilege, God said, “Promote. Do more.”
When I followed through, the action lowered a wall between the other person and me. The dialog I’d been longing to have landed on a soft cushion. The person’s heart was open to hearing because God’s kindness demonstrated that I believed in him.
Romans 2:4 says, Or do you have no regard for the wealth of His kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]? Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]?
Ephesians 1:5 says, He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will…
I’ve been filling myself up on the song Reckless Love by Cory Asbury. One of the lyrics is, “You have been so, so kind to me. Oh the overwhelming reckless love of God.”
What I felt that day while gazing down on a snow covered Atlanta —I thought I was flying over the midwest—was God’s abandoned, unfettered love touched me the day I realized a new level of His kindness.
I continue to pray He wrecks my heart with His love. To see His kindness toward me and others. May He do the same for you!
About Rachel Hauck
Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times. She is a double RITA finalist, a Christy and Carol Award Winner.
Rachel sits on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers, and is the comical sidekick to Susan May Warren at the amazing My Book Therapy. She is a worship leader and speaker.
A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, Rachel is a devoted Ohio State football fan. She lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat.
What a fantastic post!!! Such wonderful Truth I needed reminding of today. Absolutely beautiful!!!
I know. I was so glad that the author let me post it here. 🙂 I’m glad it was a blessing to you!