About the Author

Grace P. Cho is a Korean American writer, poet, and speaker. She believes telling our stories can change the world, and desires to elevate women of color’s voices in the publishing industry. Learn more at @gracepcho and gracepcho.com.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Grace,

    Our generation has had it pretty good for a while now. Oh sure we’ve gone through trials & tribulations. But nothing like a pandemic, racial unrest & crazy election all at once. Our ancestors endured a lot. They had the Great Depression, World Wars I & II, Korea & Vietnam wars. My step MIL has buried 3 husbands, 2 children & was a single parent for about 5 years. If they can handle all that then so can we-with God’s help. Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. David was being hunted by King Saul yet he knew God would see him through that valley. The church-Christians need to wake up to what’s not right in this world & try to change it, but not just by prayer alone. We -can do the hard work of having conversations, listening & showing this world more of God’s love. Let them see His love isn’t color or racially blind. We need to endure & with God’s grace & help we can have the tenacity to do it!

    Blessings 🙂

  2. We have to as the saved still no matter what put our trust in the one who made the world. No matter what. I know as follower of Jesus it can seem hard to say to a person not saved. Who asked were is this so mighty God you believe in. Why is he letting all this happen. They can say too you why Covid 19 is God letting happen plus people take ill at such an young age people die for no reason ect . Sometimes as follower of Jesus we just don’t have the answer to the questions they ask. But we as followers just still have to put our faith in the one who made this world. Keep walking the walk and doing what Jesus would want us to do. That is be the Church to hurting. If we can. Pray and read the Bible and stand on the promises in the word of God at this time. No matter how hard it may be. Especially pray for those with Depression or not well or got a family member not well that we know or have lost someone even if not to with Covid 19 or to do with Covid 19. Or when we hear the news and hear something sad. To pray for that situation. Not talk pray. Show we are different. It hard yes. But it still reminds of a song I learnt at Sunday School. That sticks in mind. It is “He Got The Whole World In His Hands” you get it on YouTube. It come up as Children version. But still applies for today. As God’s got the whole world in his hands. It also goes in the words of it. He got me and you brother in his hands. How true that is. We even as his followers and non followers might not believe that at this time. But at this time we more so than ever have to believe that. Plus believe the Saviour or the World will make in his perfect timing things get better. Not say things will never be the same. As when we say things like that we are giving the Devil a foot hold to smile say yes. I have you especially the believer believing that things will never be the same. So we have to as Gods followers No put our trust in Jesus. Say No Devil we his followers are not going to believe the lies you fill people minds with. Things will not get better. We are especially his followers going to believe God and his word the Bible and Prayer. Not listen to your lies Devil. Thank you again for another excellent reading xx

  3. Grace, thank you for your powerful and meaningful words this day. We need to hear more from you.

  4. I am so sorry for your pain, dear Grace. I am so very sorry for the pain you feel on so many levels, and can’t imagine all you are enduring, personally.

    I am of European descent. We have dear, dear friends who are Asian, who immigrated from China & Taiwan (they are a married couple), and who have two children, born here. They used to live across the street, and our daughter babysat for them. We still are in regular touch w/ them, and they attend our family gatherings often (now on hold due to COVID). The parents have become US citizens, and of course, their children are by birth.

    Our daughter has studied Chinese extensively, and now is teaching herself Japanese. She has many friends (and who are now ours) from China primarily, and some from Japan, Taiwan, and Korea, who are here on student visas, whether at the under grad or graduate-school level. We love our Chinese pastor at church. I sight these people because we grieve over the atrocious, prejudicial treatment they are receiving during this pandemic, people deeming them responsible for this “Chinese virus,” as some are wrongly/disparagingly calling it. They are in fear. We fear for them! We are trying to provide a safe haven for them, as best we can, from a distance b/c of COVID spread, and their and our need to social-distance (my husband and I are doubly high risk due to age and pre-existing conditions). But we text them, and talk to them by phone or Zoom. We tell them if they need groceries (whatever), to let us know, and we will deliver it. We tell them our angst over how they are being treated in this country (and are frankly appalled by it). We encourage them, I guess you would say (though I’d not thought about it in this way) to be tenacious–to hold fast during this “storm.” Very few of them are believers, but we tell them we are praying for them, and some now, say that they are praying for us!

    I love that you are taking encouragement (as we all must do) from Jesus’ suffering. I still can’t fathom all He, our God and our Son of man and Savior, endured for us. As much as any of us suffers, His suffering for us, voluntarily, was beyond our comprehension. But we know this: Because He suffered, He understands our suffering in a way mere humans cannot, is with us in it, and bids us come to Him for succor. You and we are doing that.

    And as for tenacity? I’m pretty abysmal at it. The word derives from the Latin, meaning to hold fast. Honestly, Grace, I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t know it’s ultimately He who holds *me* fast, prone to wander as I am. He will hold us fast, and I believe He will simultaneously set us free . . . I pray He will set me free from any residue of prejudice lurking in the crevices of my heart, and that He will free our society of this evil. I thank you beyond words for your sensitive, yet “stout” (love the word stouthearted in the Bible!), courageous heart, and your willingness to share! And may we all be courageous enough to listen and to apply!
    Love
    Lynn

  5. Grace, a new hymn that has greatly ministered to me during a horrendous physical trial of vertigo I’m going through, is the Gettys’ “He Will Hold Me Fast.” When my head is spinning as in a violent storm, and I can barely walk, and I don’t have the strength to cling to Him, I can’t tell you how much it comforts me to know that *He* will hold me fast! I referred to that truth in my first response to you. I thought perhaps it would bring you and your readers comfort! I weep every time I hear it, and feel His warm embrace, holding me fast.

    He Will Hold Me Fast
    by Keith Getty

    When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast;
    When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast.
    I could never keep my hold through life’s fearful path;
    For my love is often cold; He must hold me fast.
    He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
    For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.
    Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast;
    Precious in his holy sight, He will hold me fast.
    He’ll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last;
    Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.
    He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
    For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.
    For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast;
    Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast.
    Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast
    ‘Till our faith is turned to sight, When He comes at last!
    He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast;
    For my Saviour loves me so, He will hold me fast.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=936BapRFHaQ

  6. Wow Grace. Thank you for coming out of the shadows. Thank you for being so real, so true, so relatable, so transparent. I honestly heard your heart…I felt you. I know Jesus did too.

    • That was my response too, Grace…..WOW! Thank you for your heartfelt honesty. So much of what you had to share spoke to my heart as well. Sending love.

  7. Grace. thank you so very much for this post. With three members of my family presently struggling with this virus in two different states and knowing there is nothing I can do to help but pray and ask others to add their prayers to mine. So many people are in this same position which leaves you feeling so helpless. With Gods help we will get through this.

  8. Grace, I love your quotation in the beautiful photo at the top. May we all be encouraged by it. Yes, Beth, many of our ancestors endured a lot of hardship getting to this land and making it what it became, the great city on a hill, a beacon of freedom. Most of my ancestors came so they could have religious freedom as many of them had been persecuted in their home country. I am grateful to live in a country that countless people still want to come to. My ancestors fought in many wars including the Revolution, the Civil War, WW I and II and my husband served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Many gave their lives fighting for what is right and so we could all be free. Some of my ancestors were abolishionists who worked hard for our black brothers and sisters to be free and have equal standing. Our country has made great progress and is still continuing. It disturbs me greatly that some in our country seek to divide us rather than to unite us. We need to focus on loving one another rather than focusing on any perceived injustices and God will work it all out. Dawn, as always, thank you for your words of wisdom. Yes, we can’t believe the lies of Satan who always seeks to divide and who plants hate in hearts. We must look to the Lord and listen to Him. Last but not least, thank you Lynn for sharing the words to He Will Hold Me Fast. He will surely hold all His children fast. We need not fear. Love and peace to all.

    • Karen, I’m so glad that that song ministered to you. It’s so kind of you to say. I love the Gettys’ hymns. They are always timely and seemed so on this blog. I’m so glad in-courage staff let me post it.

      I do think that a significant way in which we love each other is to realize that what when others tell truth as they have really experienced it, is not their just perceiving it (in the way that that word has come to mean). We love them well when we listen to their actually experienced injustices and then do our part to help rectify them. The division between justice and injustice is real, and yes, we can all come together to solve it, rather than let Satan use it as a wedge of division. I totally agree, and thank you so much for sharing!
      Blessings,
      Lynn

  9. This article has a line from a song I love running through my head that “we were made to be courageous.” Great article and reminder.

  10. Grace, thank you for this reminder. I see all that you’ve mentioned and it is so hard to try to grasp all that is happening around us. It will be a different way of life moving forward for our future generations and no matter what takes place, we must not lose hope that God is here and He will take care of all our worries. Let us continue to praise Him.

  11. Dear Grace, you remind us of how much more difficult these times are for those who struggle with depression. For people who feel the sadness of situations and people so much more intensely, these added sorrows are piled on top of the normal daily ones. I’m glad you reached out and shared your heart with us. Now I have direction for my prayers for you and your family. May you rest in the Lord’s care and find comfort there.

  12. May God gives us all the strength and courage we need to endure these times and may we all emerge stronger.