The biblical number for God’s grace is five. For that reason, it’s one of my favorite numbers. God’s grace is what empowers me to do anything I do and especially to run my business. As I gathered with family on New Year’s Eve 2024, it occurred to me that the year ’25 is five squared—God’s grace times God’s grace.
WOW.
I can’t express how full of expectation I am to see what this year holds. And the first month did not disappoint. Let me explain.
I started out the year strong, hitting my financial goals for the first solid week of the month. Then the Holy Spirit moved my husband and I to give a large sum of money away. And right after we followed through with that, we were struck with the rhino pneumonitis virus, which knocked us down for almost two weeks—no work.
So why wasn’t this disappointing? Because God’s grace empowers his children. It is even more crucial to recognize it during times of challenge. Romans 5:3 says that we rejoice in tribulation because tribulation works patience, and patience works experience, and experience works hope, and hope makes not ashamed. Challenges are just opportunities to rely on God’s grace to do what we cannot. What does rejoicing in tribulation look and feel like? PEACE.
In the middle of a challenge, where what you see tempts you to worry, that is the time to cast your care on the Lord and celebrate that he’s got this. He knows what you need before you even ask, and he’s a Good Father.
So we’ve entered into 2025 with unexpected circumstances saturated in anticipated grace. I can’t wait to see what God does, and I hope our difficult time inspires you to experience God’s peace and provision through whatever challenge this year has already presented.
As you move forward to greater heights of writing and editing, remember that your voice is significant, and your contribution is unique.
Pleasant penning,
Rachel E. Bradley
Freelance Editor and Indexer
NAIWE Copyediting Expert
Revisions by Rachel Inc.
www.RevisionsbyRachel.com
Rachel E. Bradley holds a BS degree in Paralegal Studies from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. She graduated summa cum laude in 2006 and held for ten years the Advanced Certified Paralegal designation by the National Association of Legal Assistants. She is a gold member of the Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network, is an established freelance editor with the Christian Editor Connection, is an instructor with the PEN Institute, is a judge for the Editors’ Choice Award, and has served as faculty for PENCON, the only conference for editors in the Christian market.
After nine years in the legal field, Rachel transitioned to her current career as a freelance editor and indexer. She now owns Revisions by Rachel Inc. In 2018, she lost her first husband, Matthew, after an intense battle with brain cancer. That experience has given her a new understanding and a fierce compassion for people who feel broken and are hurting. In celebration of continued life and hope, she became a licensed skydiver. When she is not at her computer diligently editing for her clients, you can find her in the skies flying her rainbow canopy, “Promises,” after a jump from 10,000 feet.
In early 2021, she asked God to give her an arranged marriage and gave him permission to choose her next husband. In an incredible tale of trusting God and giving him her yes without exception, she is now gratefully and blessedly married to Alexander Bradley. They have been assigned the awe-inspiring and continually humbling task of raising two incredible children.
Rachel enjoys, among other things, Bible studies, dancing during church worship, skydiving, swing dancing, rock climbing, reading, teaching, discussing important issues, watching Star Trek, sewing, cooking, Pilates, horseback riding, water sports, playing guitar, and snow skiing.
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