Grace in Tension: Discover Peace with Martha and Mary Paperback – November 12, 2021 by Claire McGarry

Description

Author: Claire McGarry

Package Dimensions: 0x0x505

Number Of Pages: 144

Release Date: 12-11-2021

Details: Product Description

We all face stress and tension in our daily lives. How we respond either diffuses or ignites it. If lit, we can feel stretched beyond our capabilities, wondering why our God of abundant goodness doesn’t remove the struggles we face.
Grace in Tension affirms that although God doesn’t create our tension, he does show up in the midst of it to lead us through. Centered on Jesus’ interactions with Martha and Mary in the gospels, we can follow the sisters’ transformative journeys through their own struggles. Reflecting on what transpires between Scripture verses, we see their initial tension become the catalyst that drives both Mary and Martha to the feet of Jesus — the perfect place to discover peace.
Simultaneously, Grace in Tension explores the areas where stress arises in our own lives. Each chapter contains helpful tips to address it, a thought-provoking prayer to inspire us to go to God with our problems, and questions for reflection to help us see all the ways he is working for our good. No matter how big or small our struggle, when we seek out God, he reveals what we need to do to resolve our tension, transforming it into grace.

Review

“With
Grace in Tension, Claire McGarry gives us the G-I-F-T of spiritual empowerment to face life’s conflicts, stress, and stumbles with a new perspective. Claire openly shares from her own challenges while accompanying us along a proactive path to prayerful transformation. Life is full of rough stuff these days.
Grace in Tension frames a terrific method for letting God walk with us even when times are difficult. A powerful, proactive prescription!”

—Lisa M. Hendey, author of The Grace of Yes

“In a time when so many people are experiencing tension, stress, anxiety, and fear in the face of the world’s many challenges, Claire McGarry reminds us to rediscover the grace of God in our midst. Drawing on the powerful scriptural witness of the Gospel of Luke, McGarry invites us to see Mary and Martha as companions in our contemporary spiritual journeys. The reflections in this book provide readers with practical opportunities to renew our way of seeing the world and deepen our prayer lives by putting our faith into action.”

—Daniel P. Horan, OFM, Director of the Center for Spirituality at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN and author of God is Not Fair and Other Reasons for Gratitude

“Are you striving to be a Mary in a Martha world? I think we all know which woman we
should be, but deep down we can all admit which one we really are. Claire McGarry’s book,
Grace in Tension, gave me new eyes to that passage in Luke, showed me how to unpack it deeper, rejoice in being both a Mary and a Martha and see the G-I-F-T of it all. Brava, Claire!”

—Kathryn Whitaker, author of Live Big, Love Bigger

“For Catholic women who, like me, deeply identify with Martha in her worry and distraction, Claire McGarry’s balanced discussion of how busy women can learn to sit at the feet of Jesus is both a challenge and a gift. Learn to find the grace amid your daily cares and burdens.”

—Barb Szyszkiewicz, editor at CatholicMom.com and author of The Handy Little Guide to Prayer

“Discover the gifts of grace and peace amid life’s tensions. With a fresh approach to the story of Mary and Martha, Claire McGarry uses heartfelt language, humor, relatable stories, and practical advice that illuminate insights into Jesus’ love. There are important life lessons for every reader to find.”

—Shanna Crowell, speaker, blogger, women’s ministry leader, Centerpoint Community Church, Salem, NH

“Each chapter reads like a personal devotion, filled with relatable stories, questions, and a fresh-look exposition of Mary and Martha from the Gospels of Luke and John. Claire systematically unpacks the theme of moving toward grace amidst the tension of life’s circumstances.
Grace In Tension is an enjoyable reminder of Christ’s gentle ‘nudge’ toward receiving and giving His grace in our lives.”

—Rev. Zachary Crowel