Weakness...Friend or Foe?

Long time no write!!! well...not exactly...lots of writing, but not here. I’ve been busy finishing my M.A. in Counseling. Before I move onto more of everyday life, I have to debrief about the last 2 months. They were ‘hectic’. On top of finishing the last class, we decided to take Foster/Adopt Training classes through Children’s Home Society of VA. UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE!!! Very insightful! More on that another time...a lot more!

So in the midst of the ‘too busy’ for my liking I was blown away. The way the Lord equipped everyone to pitch in and not only support me, but learn new things together was amazing. It’s really no wonder I miss it. I don’t miss classes, I miss how BIG Jesus was for us. I realize a week later that it is not ‘risks’ that draw me in as much as it is my weakness makes room for so much more of the Lord’s strength. We felt like it was ‘doable’ because it was only ‘8 MORE WEEKS!’. Anything for a short time. Now, I stand convicted. Weakness...for only 8 more weeks! Feeling whirled around and aware of my family helping ME....for only 8 more weeks. Letting people down (or at least not meeting what I perceived as such)...for only 8 more weeks. Missing some fun times to head to the library...for only 8 more weeks. You get the point. Weakness = foe.

It has been 2 1/2 years of ‘school’, but before I did my ‘work’ when the kids were in school. Now, I homeschool (read as: no self time). Funny thing is, none of my journey in school was easy. I got sick often (or someone did) and regularly I felt like the Lord was NOT making my paths straight. “C’mon Lord...you’ve called me to this...make a way!” would often be my cry. It took me until my last class to learn the significance of learning to lean on Jesus more than what I learned through books. I have learned a bunch, but it pales in comparison to what I learned about trusting how BIG God is and WHAT HE CAN DO. I ‘know’ this, but living it is very different.

So, as the Lord helped us abide through ...for only 8 more weeks, I REJOICE, but I’m also sad. I’m aware how much I use my ‘difficulties’ to help me press in and abide. I’m learning the sweetness and gift of weakness. I may not wear it well, but there’s a certain sense of JOY in it. I think in some ways, it’s what beckons me to take risks for the Gospel. It’s not me...it’s got to be Jesus. So when we lock our doors and think how ‘protected’ we are, maybe we can realize for tomorrow, it’s just on the outside. Real JOY is found in remaining UNlocked and UNdone, but surrounded with strength and peace from the Spirit. Friends, our God LIVES and I can’t wait to see and hear how he will show Himself tomorrow...not just for 8 more weeks!

2 Cor 12:9: 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.