His Grace Is Sufficient
No matter how healthy, how happy, how whole your life may be, weakness is a part of everyone’s story at some point. It may be physical, emotional, relational, spiritual or mental. No matter. God says to you, “My grace is sufficient.”
Early December, 1997. My mind and schedule are full. I have Christmas cards to address and send, gifts to purchase and wrap, holiday gatherings to attend, kids’ activities to coordinate, and treats to bake. If I could clone myself, I would. I’m that busy.
After work, I pick up the boys from school, run a couple of errands, and head home. I’m not feeling great. In fact, a persistent, increasing pain in my abdomen has my attention. I feel dizzy when I stand.
Twenty-four hours later, I’ve had my first and only ride in an ambulance. I’ve undergone emergency surgery for internal bleeding. I’m on my fourth “strawberry shake” (AKA blood transfusion). And it takes every bit of my strength to slip on “Tigger”-head house shoes, delivered courtesy of my sons, and walk painfully slowly to the nurses’ station and back.
I’m back at home in a few days. The boys return to school. With orders to stay in bed, my concerned husband goes back to work. I lie there, “resting” but unable to sleep. Lunch sounds good, and I fancy myself able to walk the several steps that will land me in the kitchen.
Hmmm…my ears start to ring, and I see stars. Forget lunch. I just need to get back to that bed ASAP.
Once I settle in, I throw a nice little pity party. I think of that untouched holiday “to-do” list, and hot tears roll down the sides of my face and onto my pillow. I can’t even sit up long enough to address a Christmas card. In a season when I should be up and busy, I’m flat on my back and completely helpless.
Then God brings to mind the words Jesus spoke to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9. Paul has been pleading with the Lord to remove a “thorn in (his) flesh.” “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Ah, sweet grace – God’s undeserved blessings, favor, and goodness pouring over us! Meeting our deepest needs out of His deepest love! Supplying His riches in our poverty!
His grace came to me when I was at my weakest in the form of fervent prayers, meals for my family, thoughtful cards, and short visits. It came in a box of Christmas treats from Granny. Grace came in “The Year of the Gift Card” when Sharon swung by the house, picked up my Christmas list, and went to the mall to buy gift cards. It came when Robbin made a grocery store run for some very specific items, also throwing in a hilarious comedy routine for free! (Oh, it hurt to laugh so hard!) Grace was a ride from Zoe to my post-op appointment with my doctor. It was Teresa picking up the slack on my carpool days. Grace came in the form of my sons and husband outdoing themselves to serve and care for me.
And grace came in the quiet moments when I was home alone and Jesus came to sit in the silence with me. In my weakness, His power to be my All-in-All was on full display. Truly, His grace was sufficient for me.
When you come to the end of your energy, abilities, and willpower, you’ll find that Jesus is enough. In your lowest of lows, the hand of Love reaches down deep to rescue you. No need to muscle up. His power is made perfect in your weakness. Let it be so.
