This is a place that I share all of the beautiful photos of your families and children. It’s also a place that I can share things from my heart and stories about my family. You know those everyday mundane things that the Lord will use to teach you about his goodness.

Well, this is a story about grace, and it just so happened to come by way of Taco Bell. A little backstory, most of you know that I have twin 5-year-old girls, Alivia and Ashtyn. This particular story is about my sweet Alivia. She has the most precious little tender heart. Like she oozes goodness, and her heart is so pure. These qualities are some of my favorite things about her. She wants to do good. She aims to please. She is quick to sacrifice self and quick to give love.

The other night when it was bedtime, I told the girls that if they were good at bedtime and good in the morning, then I would take them by Taco Bell on the way home from school. I mean hello... can a girl get a bean burrito? It’s always been one of my weaknesses! So anyways, they went to bed fine without much fuss, which is a rare event. The next morning it was evident that Alivia woke up on the wrong side of the bed. This is also a rare event. Like she was sassy, grumpy, and I could tell this wasn’t her day. Now don’t get me wrong, everyone is entitled to have a bad day… even if you are little. No one can be good and perfect all the time, right? I mean we are humans and live in a fallen world after all. I picked them up from school and we went to Taco Bell as promised. Even though I wasn’t sure she had earned her Taco Bell that day.

Fast forward to that night at bedtime, and my sweet baby lamb started bawling her eyes out after our bedtime routine and prayer time. I asked, “Why are you crying Alivia?” In her tender baby voice that was filled with tears, she managed to mumble, “Well Mama, I wasn’t good, and you still got me Taco Bell.” Like how did that baby heart even put all of that together?!?! She always wants to please, and in her heart, she knew that she didn’t deserve a treat. I had a burning in my throat and couldn’t fight back the tears. I am telling you that the Lord stopped me in my tracks right then and there. How many times have I acted a complete donkey and so undeserving, but the Lord still provided “Taco Bell.” I hugged that baby so tight and told her, “I gave you Taco Bell because I love you and I wanted to do something kind for you.” In that moment I told her about what grace means. Although I know she didn’t fully understand it, I know the seed was planted.

I can think of a million reasons that I don’t deserve his grace and mercy. He gives grace, and he gives it freely. It’s there, for the taking, for any of us. Maybe you needed to hear this? Maybe I needed to be reminded of this? Ever since this happened last week it has been burning my heart to share with you. I am so thankful that the Lord used what was an ordinary moment to teach me a lesson on grace.