Welcome back to Living the Grace Life! In this episode, we step into the corner of real grace for our real lives by growing in grace through praying the scriptures. If you've ever felt unsure about what to pray or worried that your words might come out wrong, this episode is for you. Together, we’ll reflect on Genesis 1, explore where God's grace is rich in it, and spend time in prayer.

Episode Highlights:

• Snow in Unlikely Places – A reflection on how God surprises us with beauty and new beginnings, even in unexpected circumstances.
• A Fresh Start with Genesis – We dive into the creation story in Genesis 1 (NLT), noticing the recurring phrase: "And that is what happened."
• God’s Confidence in Creation – How God spoke creation into being with certainty, clarity, and purpose, and what that means for us as we embrace new beginnings.
• Embracing New Starts – Acknowledging that while fresh starts are exciting, they can also be challenging. Whether it's a new habit, a word for the year, or a renewed commitment, God is with us.
• The Sacred Hover – Exploring how the Spirit of God hovered over the waters before creation and continues to hover over our lives, preparing the way for new growth.
• A Guided Prayer – A moment to pause, reflect, and offer our new beginnings to God with trust in His guidance and provision.

Key Scripture:

• Genesis 1:1-31 (NLT) – The creation account and the repeated affirmation of God’s work: "And that is what happened."
• 1 Thessalonians 5:24 – "The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it."

Reflection Questions:

1. What new beginning is God revealing to you as this month comes to a close?
2. Where do you need God’s confidence, certainty, and clarity in your life?
3. How can you invite God to be more present in your new commitments?

Prayer Focus:

• Thanking God for His intentional design and purpose in creation.
• Offering our new beginnings to Him, trusting in His clarity and direction.
• Asking the Holy Spirit to hover over our lives and guide us with grace.

Join the Conversation:

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, reflections, or prayer requests with us. Follow along on social media and let us know how you're seeing God’s grace in your new beginnings.

Subscribe & Share: If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe and share Living the Grace Life with someone who might need a reminder of God’s grace today.

Until next time, grace this life with prayer and live the grace life generously, friend. Grace for you. Grace for them.

Complete show notes here

Connect with Jennifer:

Jennifer's FREE Resource, Living the Grace Life: One Prayer at a Time

Website | Instagram | Facebook

How is your hospitality antenna these days? Is it tuned to the needs of others, or is it clouded by the noise of performance and perfectionism? What if true hospitality isn’t about impressing with a spotless home or a picture-perfect table, but about the grace of surrender—extending grace as a reflection of God's welcome?

In this episode of Living the Grace Life, host Jennifer Sakata continues her conversation with Sue Donaldson in Part 2 of “Practicing Hospitality.” Together, they explore how hospitality is an act of grace, surrender, and purpose, paving the way for restoration, forgiveness, and connection.

• Surrendering expectations: How letting go creates space for meaningful hospitality.
• Hospitality and restoration: Insights from John 21 on how hospitality fosters forgiveness and healing.
• Offering what we have: The beauty of sharing from wherever we are.
• Partnering with others: The power of collaboration in showing grace-filled hospitality.
• Finding rest in rhythms: Serving others well by first being replenished ourselves.

True hospitality is about relationship restoration and letting God work through us, no matter how small our offering might seem. Join us as we unpack how surrendering to grace transforms our approach to welcoming others, making it not about us, but about God’s sufficiency.

Listen now and discover how to cultivate grace-filled hospitality that restores relationships and reflects God's love.

Grace quotes from Sue Donaldson:

"You don't have to do hospitality as I do. You just have to do hospitality."

"The whole point of hospitality is this huge relationship restoration that Jesus set. That's the reason we do hospitality. Restoration of someone coming to God."

"Someone may never know the welcome of God until they've been welcomed to your table."

Key Scripture:

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:18-19, NLT.

Resources mentioned:

• Prayer for a Hospitality Heart + Free Recipe
• FREE Mentoring Work Pack
• Sue Donaldson's Books

Connect with Sue Donaldson:

Website: https://www.welcomeheart.com FB:https://www.facebook.com/suemooredonaldson/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/suemooredonaldson/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/welcome_heart/

FREE FB group, Welcome Heart, Welcome Home: https://www.facebook.com/groups/welcomeheart/membership_questions

Related episodes:

Episode 22, Beyond Entertaining: Practicing Hospitality as Grace in Action

Complete show notes here

Connect with Jennifer:

Website | Instagram | Facebook

What comes to mind when you think of hospitality? Many people immediately respond with, "I don't have time" or "It's not my gift," but what if hospitality is more than just entertaining? What if practicing hospitality is truly an act of grace?

In this episode of Living the Grace Life, host Jennifer Sakata talks with Sue Donaldson, a speaker, author, and podcast host known for her passion for hospitality. Sue, affectionately known as the "mayor" of her neighborhood, models authentic hospitality that reflects God's love and grace.

Sue explains the difference between hospitality and entertainment, encouraging listeners to focus on the person in front of them and the purpose of serving their needs. She offers four practical tips for embracing hospitality with grace:

• start small
• keep it simple
• use your own style
• welcome with a servant's heart.

Join Jennifer and Sue for actionable advice on moving beyond entertaining to practicing hospitality as a meaningful expression of grace.

Sue and her husband Mark have raised three daughters who keep them at the bank and on their knees.

Grace quotes from Sue Donaldson:

"We practice doing what God wants us to do. And the best part is, we learn how great God is."

"When you practice hospitality, you no longer think about yourself. You think about your guest."

"The ultimate thing is to realize that God is in control; it's Jesus that does the work."

Resources mentioned:

• Prayer for a Hospitality Heart + Free Recipe
• FREE Mentoring Work Pack
• Sue Donaldson's Books

Connect with Sue Donaldson:

Website: https://www.welcomeheart.com FB:https://www.facebook.com/suemooredonaldson/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/suemooredonaldson/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/welcome_heart/

FREE FB group, Welcome Heart, Welcome Home: https://www.facebook.com/groups/welcomeheart/membership_questions

Complete show notes here

Connect with Jennifer:

Website | Instagram | Facebook