Have you ever felt full or satisfied? Think back to a favorite meal that was so good you ate every last bite. Or a time when gathering with family or friends filled your heart to the brim with love. I pray we all have a memory that takes us back to a time when we were fully satisfied.
A recent memory takes me to a time when my dad beamed with pride over how well his therapists told him he was progressing. My heart filled with gratitude and love over the perseverance he continues to display at age 94.
God’s grace also fills us to the brim even when we have done nothing to deserve it. It comes when we least expect it and looks like unforeseen love. A gift freely given just because. God’s grace washes over us time and time again. It is His gift of redemption when we humbly admit we are weak and underserving.
Let me take you back to my dad. He truly has been making good progress after fracturing his hip. It’s a journey that he wasn’t sure he had the stamina for at first, but since then has embraced the hard work needed to recover. This story, however, has changed. My dad woke up the other day with a severe pain in his hip. We found out that surgery was needed again. Grace is there for my dad to embrace, but this time it comes with a weakening of resolve and spirit over not so good news. God says “bring it on”. We are strengthened by God’s grace in our time of weakness. We are made whole in our weakness because Christ’s power rests in us. We are stronger when we embrace our weakness and let God take care of the rest.
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. 2 Corinthians 12:9
[Tweet “When we are weary from battle, God strengthens us with the armor of grace.”]
My dad’s battle is beginning again, but it is one he doesn’t face on his own. God takes our weakness and makes us strong. When we are weary from the battle, He strengthens us with the armor of grace. God’s power is made perfect in weakness. He’s in charge of our battles. God is always battle ready and it is okay for us to wave the flag of surrender. My dad does just that- he surrenders his challenges to God, knowing that He is the keeper of our plans and His plan is always good.
May we learn how to fully surrender our struggles to God and in the process feel the gift of grace and strength wash over us. I am praying for all of you when you feel battle weary that you may release it all to God and let Him fight the battle.
Blessings of grace along the way,
Mary
Joining my friend, Lisha at Give Me Grace
Mary, your father is an inspiring man of faith – I think his daughter resembles him in this. I’m so sorry to hear of the turn-about in events health-wise, and how there remains yet another battle ahead for him to face. Our hopes and prayers rest on these words you’ve shared: “We are stronger when we embrace our weakness and let God take care of the rest.” Yes and Amen! Hard as it can be to let go and let God, when we do so we are helped and held through every trial we may encounter. Praying for your dad and for you all as a family as you face the future days with faith supported by God’s grace. This too shall pass and lead to a testimony to come. Blessings and hugs to you. <3
Your words are wise and speak truth. They are ones I need to hear over and over again because even as I write about letting go everything to God, there are days that it is hard to imagine what that looks like. Thank you for your continued prayers and for being so kind to me. Blessings to you too!
I’ve been praying for your dad, Mary. I pray the second surgery went well. I’m amazed at his stamina at 94 – wow! God is good. Continued prayers for healing.
Surgery went well but was not the result we had hoped for. He is almost back to square one in his rehab progress but his spirits are good and that is helping so much. Your prayers are felt and treasured. Thank you!
Focusing on the Lord is all I can do, moment-by-moment, day-by-day, night-by-night. My brain and body don’t work as well, and I worship, glorify, and praise to the Lord. When I’m in Heaven I sure hope I will understand what the Lord has had me do and why He had me deal with our world’s reality. Thanks for sharing. The Word and the photo really grabbed me. Bless you!
Thank you for sharing so openly here. We all struggle in some way, but knowing that you continue to question why God has you deal with what the world keeps handing you, gives me a specific intention of how to pray for you. Please know I will be praying for strength for each day and God’s grace to wash over you with daily blessings.
Mary,
Praying for your sweet dad…and for you!! I’m so sorry about his setbacks. Praying for God’s everlasting arms to surround you both and give you the strength and perseverance you need. Praying for abounding grace to surround you and be what you need!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thank you for your prayers. I love that I am still journeying with my dad even though we are faced with struggles. This community blesses me so much and when you all come together in prayer, I am beyond blessed. Love and hugs, Bev.
We learn God’s grace in a new way when we have to trust Him for the struggles of our aging parents . . . and our grown-up kids.
In this journey, we will never grow beyond the need for Him to carry us, and, while I’m sure this has been excruciating for you to watch your dad suffer so many set backs, but I’m quietly watching and being blessed as I see God’s grace pour through you in these days of trusting and waiting.
Thank you for blessing me with these kind words. I continue to learn that you never stop needing your parents so seeing them suffer in anyway is excruciating. It is only by God’s grace that I continue to hang on tight to the promises that God provides for us. Grace is an amazing gift that we should never take for granted.
Hi Mary! It’s so hard to partner with our loved ones as they walk a difficult road. What a wonderful daughter you are! Your heart is aching for him, but you are right there in prayer and thought and action. You are truly being Christ to him.
You’ll get every grace you need to stick with him. And what’s even better? God will give your dad every grace too.
Bless you both,
Ceil
Love your encouraging words. My heart does ache because I have a personality that always wants to make everything better. I appreciate you reminding me I will have all the grace I need. It helps me as I walk this road with my dad. Blessings to you, Ceil!
I’m so sorry to hear that your dad’s battle is continuing with yet another surgery. I will pray for him and for you, Mary, as you stand by his side and encourage him in the Lord. What a great godly daughter you are!
Thank you for your continued prayers. The new challenge is not what we had hoped for, but dad’s outlook has been pretty positive and he has strength from God to keep moving forward. God meets us right in the middle of our struggles and shows us He has never left our sides. I am blessed in knowing this truth. You always know the right things to say. Thank you friend!
I’m so sorry about your dad, Mary. Praying God will give him strength through yet another trouble. I love this – “We are made whole in our weakness because Christ’s power rests in us.” Christ’s power can get us through anything. Blessings and hugs to you!
Thank you Trudy! God is so good even in our struggles. He has blessed my dad with strength and a willingness to move forward as long as He wants Him to. This blesses me too. Your prayers are a gift and your presence here always makes my day.
Praying for your Dad as he faces this struggle.
Thank you so much Karen! Inspite of the struggle, my dad still has strength to fight this new battle. He amazes me constantly. Hope you and Jack are doing well! Love and hugs!
I think we all need this reminder once in awhile. Praying for you and your dad. I love that 2 Corinthians verse. Yes indeed his power is made perfect in our weakness.