Robin Jones Gunn gives poignant insights from the lives of women in the Bible and reveals personal details from her own life that demonstrate the truth that God's goodness prevails. What if we could see the bigger picture of our lives as God sees it? Would our view radically change if we understood that His grace covers us and everything is redeemable? We are directed in Romans 12:1 to present ourselves as a living sacrifice -- a victim. Not a victim of circumstances, but victims of the unfailing mercy of God. We can do nothing to stop Him from loving us. His mercies are new every morning. Gunn is a popular Christian author who often writes for a young audience, so her latest book is a departure, a factual memoir of how God’s hand shaped her life and career. In it she conveys many universal truths about unmerited grace, compassion, forgiveness, and another important concept, obedience to a higher power in making use of one’s personal gifts. Gunn had wanted to be a missionary in Africa but was turned down as a simple laundress for not having the right skill set. The children in her Sunday school class were delighted that she would still be present to tell them her beautiful stories. Their reaction to her disappointment enabled her to recognize her skills as a storyteller. Gunn’s longing for missionary work continued—and manifested. Her books would eventually reach Africa and other foreign lands to inspire countless women and schoolchildren on a scale impossible for a single missionary. Additional startling synchronicities in the book suggest the value of moving along right paths and convey the importance of recognizing ourselves as instruments of God’s handiwork. --Susan DeGrane ROBIN JONES GUNN is the much loved author of 90 books with over 5 million copies sold worldwide. Her popular Christy Miller series continues in the new Christy&Todd: The Married Years series. The award winning Sisterchicks® novels are book club favorites along with her non-fiction titles, Victim of Grace and Praying For Your Future Husband. Robin is a frequent speaker at local and international events. She and her husband have two grown children and live in Hawaii. Be among the first to hear about upcoming books and movies based on Robin's books when you sign up for the Robin's Nest Newsletter at robingunn.com.When you sign up you'll receive 10% off your next purchase in Robin's BookShopBookshop.robingunn.com Victim of Grace When God's Love Prevails By Robin Jones Gunn ZONDERVAN Copyright © 2013 Robin's Nest Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-310-32479-9 Contents 1. Free Fall to Full Circle................................................112. The Dream That Would not Go Away........................................173. Everything Is Redeemable................................................294. A Blessing Inside the obedience.........................................475. Making Peace with the Mysteries.........................................656. A Banner Word...........................................................857. The Day My Daddy Winked at Me...........................................1058. Pure Grace in Every Season..............................................1259. Dare to Dream Again.....................................................13910. Hi. God Likes You a Lot!...............................................15911. Going Home.............................................................177 Excerpt CHAPTER 1 FREE FALLTO FULL CIRCLE The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. —Psalm 138:8 ESV On a quiet summer afternoon, I handed my friend Steph a glass of icedtea and offered a sympathetic smile before taking a seat beside her onthe white wicker patio chair. A rousing Maui trade wind skimmed overus and rustled the outstretched limbs of our backyard plumeria tree.A single flower on the highest branch surrendered to the tug of theunseen breeze. Nudged by another breath, the flower fluttered to theground with airy elegance. "Waiting is the hardest part," Steph said. "It's been eleven days andstill no word. I'm stuck. I don't know if we should plan a move backto the mainland or if I should start buying school supplies since classeshere start next week." I didn't know what to tell her. I'd been in similar situations morethan once in my life and I felt her frustration. No winning words ofencouragement came to me. "It's beginning to feel like a test," she said. "As if God wants to seeif I completely trust him no matter what. I wish he would tell me theanswer but ..." I finished the sentence for her with a line that was familiar to bothof us. "But the teacher is always silent during the test." "Exactly." I released the thin pineapple wedge that balanced on the side ofmy glass and watched it float between the ice cubes. "I'm really sorryyou're going through this, Steph." "Thanks. I guess that's why I came over. I needed the 'tea andsympathy.' " I smiled and noticed another pl