Being overwhelmed by life's challenges and responsibilities can cause many to lose hope, give in, or settle for less than what God the Father intended for his creation. Can we accomplish all that we have been created and destined to do in life? Can each of us reach our full potential without losing our minds or killing others along the way? My Best Friend's Name Is Grace is a personal synopsis of how the author managed to accomplish all that she has in life, in spite of her beginnings and the assignment she has been given. While truthful in scope and content, the book is written from an allegorical viewpoint, as it personifies and identifies God's Grace as being the essential ingredient for success and victory in life. Compact and simply written, the book is compelling and profound in its revelation of the person, presence, purpose, and power of Grace in the lives of ordinary individuals. MY BEST FRIEND'S NAME IS GRACE By Narlene Jackson McLaughlin AuthorHouse Copyright © 2013 Narlene Jackson McLaughlin All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4817-6116-1 Contents Preface....................................................................ixAcknowledgments............................................................xiPrologue...................................................................xiiiChapter 1. Childhood Friends...............................................1Chapter 2. The Father of Grace.............................................9Chapter 3. Grace for Marriage..............................................15Chapter 4. Grace for Ministry..............................................23Chapter 5. Grace for Parenting.............................................29Chapter 6. Grace for Protection............................................35Chapter 7. The Gospel of Grace.............................................41 CHAPTER 1 Childhood Friends "A brother [friend] offended is harderto win than a fortified city." —Proverbs 18:19 Most people I know grew up with childhood bestfriends, even if they were imaginary. I, too, had a bestfriend in the natural. Her name was Janice; however,everyone called her "Punkin." I believe it was oneof her relatives who gave her that name, becauseshe was her special little "punkin." It's interestingthat our closest friends are rarely called by theirbirth names but are often assigned a more endearingname by either their parents or a loved one—a namethat we feel more appropriately describes his or herreal character or nature. Such is the case with myother lifelong best friend, Grace. Her real name is"Charis." This is the Greek name that was givento her by her Father; however, most people I know,including myself, call her by her English name,"Grace," since not many speak or understand Greek."Charis" actually means (according to Strong's BibleDictionary ) "the divine influence in the heart, andits reflection in the life of an individual." Zondervandescribes "Charis" as "a dynamic force that affectsour experience marked by God's enabling workwithin us." Many people think that "Grace" simplymeans, "God's unmerited favor toward humanity."However, once you get to know my best friend,Grace, you understand that her real name has manymore far-reaching implications. And besides, theword Grace denotes elegance, etiquette, peace andtranquility, mercy, hospitality, and a host of otherattributes that my best friend embodies. So that iswhy I affectionately call her "Grace." My childhood friend Punkin' and I were in thesame classes throughout much of our school years andspent many hours fighting boys or studying together.We had many similar characteristics and were ofteninseparable. But it was around the fourth gradethat something very life-altering happened to ourrelationship. Growing up in the rural South, we werevery poor, and I often had to wear hand-me-downsfrom my siblings and other relatives. Rarely wouldI get new clothes, usually only at Christmastime orperhaps for a birthday gift. It was usually only oneitem or an outfit, so we were encouraged to take goodcare of every new item we received. I don't rememberthe actual occasion, but when I was around the age often, I was blessed with a multicolored, aqua-blue andgreen dress. It was the kind that would expand likean umbrella when I twirled around, and I treasured itimmensely and wore it often. Because we had to wearthe same outfit all week long, we changed out of our"school" clothes each day after school and put on our"play" clothes. This helped to preserve our "good"clothes. While this may have been disheartening anddemeaning for my siblings, I didn't mind it at all,because I got to wear my "aqua umbrella" dress often,and it was my most favorite and memorable outfitever. One day during recess at school, Punkin' and Igot into our one and only fight. To this day I cannotremember what prompted the altercation, but I dobelieve that it was divinely orchestrated. AlthoughI could certainly hold my own with any of my