Did I Not Say to You…

John 11:38-44

Scripture Focus:

"Jesus said to her, 'Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?'" — John 11:40 (NKJV)

A Faith-Based Journey Toward Grace

There’s a flame rising in my spirit again, one I thought might’ve been smothered by delay, disappointment, or just plain life. But in these past weeks, between the blog, my invention ideas, and even prayers for my family, I’ve started to see movement in areas that once felt sealed shut.

That’s why John 11:40 hit me so hard: "Did I not say to you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?" It’s a call not just to remember His promises, but to believe them in the face of what looks hopeless.

Scripture Reflection: John 11:38–44

In this scene, Jesus is standing in front of a tomb. Lazarus has been dead four days. His sisters, Mary and Martha, are grieving. The crowd has already written the ending.

But Jesus hadn’t.

He turns to Martha and asks for the stone to be taken away. She hesitates—because in her mind, it’s already over. The decay has begun, the loss is final. But then Jesus speaks: “Did I not say to you…”

It’s not just a reminder. It’s a re-invitation to believe. And though Martha doesn’t physically move the stone herself, her heart surrenders. The text says, “Then they took away the stone...” because belief often begins with letting go of resistance—even if someone else rolls it back.

Sometimes, faith looks like simply stepping aside so the miracle can begin.

Devotional Insight:

Like Martha, we may believe God in theory. But when we’re staring at something dead—an idea, a relationship, a vision—we’re tempted to shrink back into doubt.

Still, Jesus gently leans in and reminds us: "If you would believe, you would see..."

Faith isn't neat. It’s not always polished. But it is powerful.

Whether it’s in a family reconciliation you thought was impossible, a blog that feels small, or a God-inspired product idea that no one sees yet, faith still moves stones.

I’m seeing things shift. Things I didn’t expect. Things I once buried. And every little resurrection whispers, “Did I not say to you?”

Grace Notes (Journal Prompts):

• What “sealed tomb” in your life is Jesus asking you to trust Him with?

• Where have you seen God move after choosing to believe again?

• What promise do you need to revisit and cling to today?

Closing Prayer:

Lord, thank You for reminding me that nothing is beyond Your reach. Help me to trust You, not just in words, but in action. Let my life be evidence of Your glory. When I doubt, whisper again what You’ve already said: "If you believe, you will see..." Amen.

With grace,
Erica

✨ What spoke to you in today’s reflection? I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment below! 🌿

📖 Digging Deeper: Luke 7:1–17

📖 Scripture: Luke 7:1–17 (ESV)

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." So Jesus went with them.

He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don’t cry."

Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

They were all filled with awe and praised God. "A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

🔍 Verse-by-Verse Reflections

Luke 7:1-2
Jesus finishes His sermon and enters Capernaum. A Roman centurion’s servant is sick and near death. We’re immediately shown a contrast between power (the centurion) and need (the servant).

Luke 7:3-5

The centurion shows humility by sending Jewish elders to ask for help. His good relationship with the Jewish people is notable; he’s respected and generous. This opens the door for intercession.

Luke 7:6-8
Before Jesus even gets to his house, the centurion sends a message: I am not worthy. This is radical humility for someone with status and authority. He recognizes Jesus’ power and compares it to military command: "Just say the word." It’s one of the clearest declarations of faith in all of Scripture.

Luke 7:9-10
Jesus is amazed. The faith of this Gentile centurion outshines all He’s seen in Israel. This affirms that faith is not about religious background, but about heart posture.

Luke 7:11-12
Now in Nain, we meet a grieving widow. The situation is dire; she's lost her only son, and with him, likely her security and livelihood. A crowd surrounds Jesus, but He still sees her.

Luke 7:13
His compassion leads. "Don’t cry," He says, not dismissively, but as One about to intervene. His heart is moved deeply. This is God with us.

Luke 7:14-15
Jesus touches the bier, a shocking act for a Jew (it made one unclean). But Jesus isn’t concerned with contamination; He is the source of life. His words carry authority: "Young man, I say to you, get up!" And the dead obey.

Luke 7:16-17
The people are in awe. They recognize Jesus as a prophet, but more: "God has come to help His people." The miracle spreads like wildfire. Jesus isn’t just a healer. He’s the embodiment of divine mercy.

📝 Journal Prompts

• Where do I need to say, "Lord, just say the word"?

• Am I approaching God with the centurion’s humility?

• Do I trust Jesus to see and respond to the pain I think is hidden?

• What miracle of compassion do I need to invite into my life today?

🙏 Closing Prayer: Jesus, You are the Word that heals, restores, and raises what I thought was dead. Teach me the kind of faith that trusts without needing proof. Help me walk with a posture of humility and expectation. Speak into my broken places, and bring life where grief has settled. I believe You are the God who sees, who comes near, and who acts in love. Amen.

With grace,
Erica

✨ What spoke to you in today’s reflection? I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment below! 🌿

Faith That Moves Him: Luke 7:1–17

📖 Scripture Focus:

Luke 7:1–17 — The Centurion’s Servant & The Widow’s Son

🪞 Opening Reflection:

Some prayers are whispered through tears. Others are never spoken aloud, only carried silently in the heart.

This week’s Bible study reminded me of a time when I prayed for God to move, but didn’t feel worthy even to ask. It was a season when I thought I hadn’t “done enough” to deserve His help. But in Luke 7, we see something incredible: Jesus moves anyway.

Whether it’s the centurion, who felt unworthy even to have Jesus enter his home… Or the widow, who never even asked for a miracle… Jesus responded, not to their perfection, but to their faith and their need.

🌿 Grace for the Journey Moment

As I read these verses, I thought: How many times have I hesitated to pray, thinking I had to get it all together first?

But the centurion simply believed:

“Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Luke 7:7)

And the widow? She was just… there. Broken. Weeping. And Jesus saw her. He had compassion on her and moved toward her pain.

🧠 Study Takeaways & Reflection

From our study, here’s what stayed with me:

• Faith doesn’t have to be loud; sometimes it’s quiet, full of trust.

• Jesus sees our need before we even speak.

• We don’t have to “qualify” for His compassion.

📝 Journal This:

• When was a time you prayed without words and God still answered?

• Do you ever feel “unworthy” to ask Jesus for help? Why?

• What is one thing you need to trust Him with from a distance this week?

🙏 Closing Prayer:

Jesus, thank You that You move with compassion. Thank You that I don’t have to perform to get Your attention. Increase my faith, even when I feel far off. And remind me that You see me… and that is enough. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

With grace,
Erica

✨ What spoke to you in today’s reflection? I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment below! 🌿

📖 Digging Deeper: Luke 6:46–49

Verse-by-Verse Devotional Study

🪞 Introduction

In Built to Last, we reflected on what it means to build a life on the solid rock of obedience. But in this devotional, we’ll take a deeper walk through each verse Jesus spoke in Luke 6:46–49. Sometimes, the Spirit speaks most clearly when we slow down: verse by verse, word by word.

✨ Luke 6:46

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”

Jesus challenges us not to stop at acknowledgment. It’s easy to say the right words, harder to follow them with our lives. Calling Him “Lord” without obedience is like building a house with no foundation.

Reflection:

• Do I call Him Lord in speech but hesitate in obedience?

• Where is my faith more talk than trust?

✨ Luke 6:47

“Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:”

There’s a rhythm here: Come. Hear. Do. Obedience isn’t a side note to discipleship; it’s central. Jesus isn’t asking for perfection, but for our surrender.

Reflection:

• What is God calling me to act on, not just think about?

• What step of faith have I delayed?

✨ Luke 6:48

“He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose... it could not shake it, because it had been well built.”

Obedience is the digging. It takes time. It's not flashy. But it holds. The flood didn’t destroy the house, not because there was no storm, but because the foundation was strong.

Reflection:

• What storms have tested me lately?

• What spiritual digging am I avoiding?

• In what ways has obedience made me stronger than I realized?

✨ Luke 6:49

“But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation... and the ruin of that house was great.”

Sobering truth: hearing without doing leads to collapse. It may stand for a while, but when the flood comes, the cracks are revealed.

Reflection:

• Am I building anything in my life on shallow ground?

• What truth have I heard that I’ve yet to respond to?

🙏 Closing Prayer

Lord, help me not to just hear You, but to follow You. Teach me to dig deep and build my life on the foundation of Your Word. Steady me in the storms. Root me in obedience. And remind me daily that faith without foundation will not stand. I want to be well built, by Your grace.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

🔗 Connect It:

💬 If you haven’t read the intro post, start here: [Built to Last – Luke 6:46–49]
📖 Or continue your study with more Grace Notes →

✨ What spoke to you in today’s reflection? I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment below! 🌿

Built to Last: Luke 6:46–49

📖 Scripture Focus: Luke 6:46–49 (ESV)

"Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."

🪞 Opening Reflection:

These verses stopped me in my tracks.

I remember a season when I was saying all the right things, posting Scripture, quoting truth, going through the motions. But my life was shaky. It wasn’t until things started to crumble that I realized: I had been listening without obeying.

Jesus asks a hard question in verse 46. And then He paints a picture of those who dig deep and build on what He says, not just what they hear.

🌿 Grace for the Journey Moment:

This passage reminded me: we are all building something with our lives. The question is what foundation are we building on?

Obedience isn’t about legalism; it’s about stability. Jesus says storms will come… and what we’ve built will show.

🧠 Verse-by-Verse Study & Reflection Questions:

Luke 6:46

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I say?"
Jesus challenges empty words. If we believe He is truly Lord, obedience must follow.

• Why is there a disconnect between calling Him “Lord” and obeying His Word?

Luke 6:47

"Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them..."
This is the true disciple: one who comes, hears, and acts.

• Are you coming to Jesus, or just listening from a distance?

• Are you applying what He speaks?

Luke 6:48

"He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock..."

• What does “digging deep” look like in your walk with Christ?

• Are you actively building on His Word?

• How do you respond when trials (floods) come?

Luke 6:49

"But the one who hears and does not do them..."

• What kind of foundation is your life resting on?

• Is there an area where you're hearing God but resisting action?

📝 Journal This:

• Where in your life is God asking you to go deeper, not just know more?

• What truths are you hearing but not yet doing?

• What spiritual “structure” are you trying to build—and what is it sitting on?

• “Lord, show me the areas of my life where I’ve built without You as the foundation. Help me obey not just in word but in action.”

🙏 Closing Prayer:

Lord, help me not just to hear You, but to follow You. Forgive me for the times I’ve called You Lord but have not truly submitted to Your voice. Teach me to dig deep, not for approval, but for truth. Strengthen my foundation with Your Word and steady my steps with obedience. When the storms come, may I be found still standing… because I stood on You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

With grace,
Erica

✨ What spoke to you in today’s reflection? I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment below! 🌿

🛍️ Faith, Fashion & the Grace to Keep Going

Starting this brand wasn’t easy. Like many of you, we’ve wrestled with doubt, discouragement, and the “what ifs.” But grace says you don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward. You just have to say yes. One step. One day. One reset at a time.

We wear faith not to be perfect, but to be reminded of the Promise Keeper we walk with.

📖 Scripture to Stand On

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
—Lamentations 3:22–23

👕 The Message Behind the Merch

Everything we create, from faith-filled apparel to prayer journals, is rooted in that divine truth.
Our goal isn’t just to sell a shirt. It’s to speak life. To offer a wearable reminder that no matter what yesterday looked like, today is a chance to walk in renewed strength.

Each product carries a message:

• Grace Renewed: It starts fresh every morning.

• Saved. Set Apart. Sent.: Your life has a mission.

• Walk on Water Faith: Trust God with the impossible.

What ‘Grace Period’ Really Means

In the natural, a grace period gives you time: extra room to pay a debt, fulfill a promise, or meet an obligation. It’s a delay without penalty. A second chance.

But spiritually, grace is so much more.

Grace is the unearned favor of God. It’s the divine space He gives us not just to catch our breath, but to be made whole. To heal. To grow. To return to purpose without shame or condemnation.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us... made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”
— Ephesians 2:4–5 (ESV)

Grace isn’t passive.
It’s not a pause just to coast or escape responsibility. It’s active permission to begin again, covered by mercy, led by love, and guided by the Spirit of God.

This brand was born from that understanding:
That grace is God’s invitation to live differently.
To rise again: restored, redeemed, and realigned with Him.
Not because you earned it. But because He calls you His.

And if you’re in your grace period now… You’re not behind. You’re being built.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9

May every word, product, and page here remind you that grace is not your excuse, it’s your launchpad.

Reset at 12:01 – The Message Behind the Merch

🕛 Grace Starts at 12:01

At Grace Period Co, we believe something powerful happens at 12:01 AM. Not just because the clock turned, but because heaven’s mercy didn’t.

It's not just a new day. It’s a divine reset. A quiet, holy moment when yesterday’s weight is lifted, and God’s mercy makes room for what’s next.

“Grace Renewed 12:01” isn’t just a slogan; it’s Scripture fulfilled.

It’s a reminder that:

• Grace doesn’t wait for perfection.

• It shows up right on time, even in the dark.

• It meets you while you’re still catching your breath from the last battle.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
— Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV)

This is the message behind our merch. Each design—whether it’s a tee, hoodie, or tote—carries a spiritual truth:
💬 You can start over.
✝️ You are not disqualified.
🌅 Grace resets with the morning light.

So when you see "Grace Renewed 12:01,” don’t just see a time, see an invitation.

To reset. To rise again. To walk in mercy that doesn’t run out.

Grace for the Step You're On

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)

Reflection:
Sometimes the next step feels heavy. Sometimes it feels small.
But grace, real grace, meets you right where you are, not where you think you should be.
Today, you don't have to be perfect. You don't have to have it all figured out.
You simply have to step with faith, knowing His grace will carry you.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your unending grace that strengthens me in every season. Help me trust You, step by step, leaning not on my own strength but Yours. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Encouragement to Carry:
🌿 Wherever you are today, standing, walking, or waiting, His grace is still unfolding over you.

Walking in Grace: The First Step

At Grace Journal, we begin with a single truth: grace is not earned, it’s received.

Whether you’re launching a dream, overcoming discouragement, or simply trying to stay grounded in faith, know this:
Grace is still unfolding.

You don’t have to have it all figured out to take the first step.

This space was created for the faith-walkers, the ones called to move before they see. As you read and reflect, may you be reminded that God goes before you and His grace is enough to carry you through the unknown.

Scripture Reflection: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9

What does walking in grace look like for you today?
Share in the comments or tag us on Pinterest:
📌 [@GraceJournal] or use #GraceJournal

Welcome to Grace Journal

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🌿 Welcome to Grace Journal

This space was created not just for dreamers, faith-walkers, and builders, but for believers who want to grow in the Word and walk boldly in Christ.
Here, you’ll find more than the message behind the merch.
You’ll find Biblical reflections, personal stories of surrender, and prayerful truth rooted in Scripture.

At Grace Period Co., every design begins in the secret place, through prayer, study, and stillness before God. Whether it ends up on a tee or in a journal, the real message is Jesus.
His mercy. His timing. His love.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
— Psalm 119:105

Each blog post here is a call to pause. To reflect. To draw near to the Lord. As you read, may you hear His voice clearer… and follow Him more closely.

🕊️ So come sit at the feet of Jesus with me one post at a time.
Whether it’s a devotion, a verse study, or a journal prompt, you’re invited to dig deeper into grace... and deeper into Him.

Let’s walk it out together: Spirit-led, Scripture-filled, and grace-covered.
Grace & Peace,
— Erica W.