Katy Perry and Grace - Praying on the PrairiePraying on the Prairie

During these 31 days of October, I have found myself reading quite a few blog posts when I have had time. The other day, I came across a post where someone shared about Katy Perry and her song “By the Grace of God.” (I seriously cannot remember where I read this post. Guess that is what I get for reading a lot of posts in one day!) Then my dear friend TM shared about her journey with depression in this post: A Different Experience of Grace. Both of these posts have me reflecting even more on God’s sufficient grace. I never thought I would be posting about Katy Perry and grace…but here I am! Guess there is a first time for everything!

I didn’t recall hearing Katy Perry’s song about grace, so I pulled up YouTube and searched for it. As I listened, I realized that I had heard this song before. But I never realized how powerful the lyrics to this song were until the other day when I was listening to it. Apparently the words to this song are autobiographical which makes them even more haunting. These words also exude a rawness to them;
a rawness to life!

The chorus is as follows: “By the grace of God (there was no other way); I picked myself back up (I knew I had to stay); I put one foot in front of the other and I looked in the mirror and decided to stay; Wasn’t gonna let love take me out that way.” (For the full lyrics go here)

I have been rereading these words over and over today. I think of our congregation and parents who recently had to lay their daughter to rest. I think of my college friend Chewy who ended his own life. I think of my dear friends who daily battle through the deep darkness of depression. I think of all the wrong choices I have made…as well as the wrong choices others have made too. I think of how God’s grace can taste awfully bitter rather than sweet. I think of how there are times when we all have had to search for God’s sufficient grace in our own lives.

My friends, I want to get real. There are times when I have indeed questioned where is Gods’ grace in my own life. There are days I go searching for God’s grace because I need to offer it to someone else and cannot seem to find it at all. There are moments when I want to readily give God’s grace away to God’s people.

In all of this doubt, in all of this questioning, in all of this searching for God’s grace, I am reminded again and again and again that God’s daily grace is sufficient. I just have to remember to be obedient to his Word and trust that God’s grace is always and ever enough because God loves us that much! “For God so loved the world that God gave God’s only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.”

I don’t know about you, but this obedient heart, sure finds hope in the promise that God loves us so much that God’s grace is always set out on the table for us to receive and give freely to God’s people. May we always trust in the mercy and grace of this obedient heart of God who loves us so very dearly!

Click Here to Head to My 31 Days Landing Page

Readers, don’t forget to register to win a $500 DaySpring shopping Spree.
Click here for a chance to win.

12 thoughts on “Katy Perry and Grace”

Mary Geisen on October 21, 2015 at 9:43 pm said:

You wrote some important words today, Tara! Sometimes we do search for God's grace and cannot seem to find it. The thing we forget is that grace is always there. God never withdraws it from us. I know for me that I am not always ready with an open heart to receive it and then it feels like grace is not available. Love you words today.

Reply ↓
- tara.ulrich on October 25, 2015 at 6:22 pm said:
  
  Thanks Mary! Yes we do forget that grace is always there! I am so glad you loved my words today!
  
  Reply ↓
Mary Hill on October 21, 2015 at 9:49 pm said:

I will have resisted to this song. I love Katie Perry. I wish she had kept singing Christian songs.

Reply ↓
- tara.ulrich on October 25, 2015 at 6:22 pm said:
  
  Mary, I wish she would have kept singing Christian songs too!
  
  Reply ↓
Robyn on October 22, 2015 at 12:51 am said:

Yes, God's grace is always enough. I, too am so thankful for God's grace in my life. Great post.

Reply ↓
- tara.ulrich on October 25, 2015 at 6:23 pm said:
  
  Thanks Robyn!
  
  Reply ↓
Melissa Haag on October 22, 2015 at 2:54 am said:

Hmm, I had never heard this song and tend to detest Katy Perry lol. But I can relate to so much of it.

Reply ↓
- tara.ulrich on October 25, 2015 at 6:23 pm said:
  
  I know what you mean. That is what struck me too. How much we all probably can relate to the words in this song.
  
  Reply ↓
Nichole on October 22, 2015 at 5:52 pm said:

I've never heard that song and she is not my favorite so i'm gonna have to dig to find it & give it a listen. I loved everything about the paragraph where you "got real" about God's grace. That is some serious gold, sister. His grace is sufficient….even when I have no idea where to find it. Great post.

Reply ↓
- tara.ulrich on October 25, 2015 at 6:24 pm said:
  
  That paragraph where I "got real" was one of my faves too. Thanks for saying it is serious gold. Thanks for stopping by, Nichole!
  
  Reply ↓
Christy on October 23, 2015 at 1:23 pm said:

Anyone that says never stthey ruggle with God's grace is a liar. Th idea of grace for today kind of goes along with Matt 6. Do not worry about tomorrow today has enough trouble of it's own doesn't it? Worry for today, grace for today, each day, every day. Good words Tara!

Reply ↓
- tara.ulrich on October 25, 2015 at 6:24 pm said:
  
  Christy, that is so true. Thanks for stopping by, friend!
  
  Reply ↓

12 thoughts on “Katy Perry and Grace”

Leave a ReplyCancel reply