I have a friend that is very sick. I received word that she has had multiple strokes and is in Seattle in a hospital, miles away from her family and friends. I've been putting it in God's hands again and again. I take it back and worry over her a little and then give it back to God, committing to trust His perfect will. This afternoon as I was sitting at my desk and feeling overwhelmed and worried, I prayed, I sat looking through the Bible, hoping that God would give me a verse, a word...anything. I was looking for the peace that I know only He can give, wanting so much to be calmed by His presence. In those quiet and sad moments, God did speak to me. He gave me back a verse I read earlier this morning:
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
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.
God says His grace is sufficient. Sufficient means adequate, enough to meet a need or purpose. What God promises to give me is enough for the moment. If He were to do things my way, I would have enough with some extra left over so that I would have insurance that it would all turn out the way I hope. God doesn't work that way. He gives us just what we need for the moment and we must depend on Him and trust that He will be there in the next moment and the next, offering sufficient grace. It isn't up to me. In fact, it isn't about me at all. It's about God and the gift of His grace. It's about His power that is made perfect in my weakness. It isn't about my comfort, although I sometimes wish it were.
God then brought to mind the times I was so sick and in the hospital. I'm not very good at being on this side of things, but I have lots of experience in being the patient. I remembered those times and how the one thing thing that really kept me going was the thought that I had to be here for my kids. I fought with all that was within me to live because I wanted to see my kids grow up. My friend has 4 small children and she has a lot of fight in her too. It was then that I realized that it's all gonna be OK. She's gonna fight with all she's got for her babies.
Please pray for my friend Kendra. Things are starting to look better but she still has a long road ahead of her.
Prayers continue!
ReplyDeleteThis was lovely and I am definitely praying!
ReplyDeleteSince learning of Kendra Drummond’s illness, I have been keeping touch in the only way I know how, through the CaringBridge web site. This morning, I awoke to read the following prayer from Kendra’s mother (see below). Please share this with others in the area who might be able to help. I know that Kendra talks of friends that they have met, several before her family even moved to AK. She has shared stories of eating native foods, picking wild berries, homeschool field trips, cookie baking sessions, gingerbread nativities, science club activities, Tae Kwon Do, and I know that they belong to a church there. This message is my attempt to reach out directly to families that know the Drummonds and who live close to them in Alaska who might carve out a bit of time to visit the children. If you do not know them, please disregard this, but if you do know them, please hear this prayer and make time to show Kendra’s children that they are cared for and not alone in this. If I had the financial resources to do so, I would travel there myself, but I cannot. I can do this and pray that this message will reach those who can help.
ReplyDeleteThank you, and have a blessed day.
Terri Brown
Saturday, April 21, 2012 9:35 AM
Today I awakened with prayers for the children on my heart. I remained in bed and continued to plead with our Father for ways that I, their Nana, can help them to understand that You Jesus are at their side, holding and loving them, comforting them through this time of fear.
How Lord, can we be helpful to them and to Kirstin. My heart goes out to her, as she alone faces four little faces lost is fear and sometimes anger, unable to truly understand why their mommy and daddy are gone. We know they feel the undercurrent of hesitancy of all the facts being shared, but how do we nurture them best? Please Lord bring friends from their North Pole church family to their side. Allow their outpouring of love and willingness to serve Kirstin and the children to make Your Light shine through them. It is with actions that children understand most. We can tell them they are loved and cherished, but until we show them, they cannot understand. Please Lord, bring along close friends of the Drummonds who share their time in Alaska, to check on Kirstin and the children and to see where they can share the burden. It is a terribly lonely burden to bear without help and guidance. Thank you Father for hearing our plea.
Nana Carlson