MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness

2 Corinthians 12:9

For the past few weeks more than any other these blogs have been an encouragement for me as much as I hope it has been for you. As we grow I know how vital it is for truth, honesty and transparency. There are certain times and situations when we need more support, love and guidance but remember that God's grace is sufficient! It really is...

I will describe grace as being fuel, energy or power given to us from the Holy Spirit to complete tasks without frustration and stress. Where there is anxiety and stress the Spirit of God is absent. I know that sounds so cliche but really I know how hard it can be to gather feelings, emotions and thoughts and actually seek God's help or guidance in some of life's most frustrating situations. As a single mother the thought that every time I needed something my daughters father should've been the one that provided and if not he will hear my wrath, but I realized when I stopped looking to him but really gave my stress to God; that came with me sometimes crying while in prayer, singing through not knowing where I would have money to pay bills or even just sitting in silence in search for answers from God. Many times it did not come the way we may think...and that is this strong powerful male voice saying go and do this or that. The answer sometimes came hours after or a day later (timeline differs) but there would be someone that was able to help, bless or direct me to what I needed.

God's power is all we need...as I thought about moving one more time, I remember asking God if this would be the last time (it was not) but before getting started I felt so tired and drained. I told myself I could not do this anymore. I looked around the room at all these items that needed to be boxed and things that needed to be sold and if I remember correctly I got a call from a friend that lived north (30min commute) asking me to get her from the train station (5 mins away) that was a few blocks from my apartment. She came prepared to help me pack and get items sold. How did she know that in that very moment I really needed help? God sent her as the angel to support His daughter who was just about to sit and cry in despair of a situation that was starting to feel overwhelming as I looked in my natural eyes. God's grace sometimes comes in the form of help and that was the help I needed at that time. I was able to pack/box, sell and move with the help of others in addition to that friend.

God's lovingkindness and mercy...even when we continously make mistakes (disobey, sin, be rebellious and rude) God is still calm and tender with us. After I had given my life to Christ I found myself in a relationship where for the first time ever I was living with someone (unmarried and in sin) *side note- when I was in the world I never lived with anyone but a few months after living for God I was now living out of alignment of His will, but that is how cunnning Satan can be. It seemed so simple.* I was tormented, frustrated and so unhappy. I did not know what to do...how could I change my situation. One day I literally cried out to God asking for help thinking that it would not be heard. I did not understand how compassionate, loving and kind God is. His love for us is exactly what the song says (in Reckless Love), reckless He leaves the ninety-nine to come and help us when we call. We don't deserve His love, his mercy or compassion but He is there everytime regardless of the situation. Some situations God literally took me out of and there were others that I was able to get through without another tear or frustration but that is what His love and grace is all about. It is not magic or some 'I dream of genie sort of thing' but His grace is personal to the person. It is what we need to get through...for one person it can even be getting knowledge, patience or support from others. That day when I cried out to God for help a friend of mine called me with an offer I initially was turning down because 1. I didn't know God's voice or direction and 2. It seemed so unbelievable. If it was not for the grace of the saints to obey when God gives them the urgency to call, connect or look out for someone else; we would not see God's love for us.

I talked alot about things that can be relatable to you but let's go back a bit in history and reflect on the story about Mary and Joseph. Have you ever thought about how Joseph felt had he not had the grace to marry a woman that had already been impreganated and now they both had to flee their comfort to stay in a shed with animals? Given that just having one pet can sometimes be smelly but to actually stay where the animals lived is a whole other story. Or even both of them as parents having to raise the Son of Man. Did God give them special instructions on how to raise Jesus, a diet special for Him or even assignments for mental stimulation? Think about it, this was Jesus...even before Mary gave birth she had the grace (knowledge) to retreat and seek spiritual covering (Elizabeth-Pastor, Mentor, Counsellor). I often think of the conversation they must've had during that time. The type of spiritual power needed to manage an event so extraordinary. Did she even consider it extraordinary?

Or think of the grace Moses needed for ungrateful, sassy, stubborn and rebellious people who was not considering their spiritual future because they did not even understand the consequences of their actions. Similar to the world today there are people sharing the word of God, providing spiritul food for those that are in need of God, that are not living for the Kingdom but yet they turn it away. Parents that love children even when they go astray. God's grace is sufficient. It's God's grace that gives peace during a storm, love in a hard to love situation and joy during a time to mourn (cry). It's God's grace to teach with no formal tools and nurse when the system has been compromised. It's grace to get out of a relationship when it is unhealthy and grace to protect people that are in danger. It's grace to feed those that are hungry and house the homeless. It takes grace to do anything for someone else that would not benefit you!

God's power is made effective in our weakness...when we are unable to control, rationalize and use our head knowledge we can see God's amazing works shine through!

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