His Grace is Sufficient!!

2 Corinthians 12:9  NIV   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.   

 

I’ve read it before, but today it hit me as I read it that I was only seeing half the picture here.  HIS grace is sufficient for me.  I’ve always known and understood that no matter how I messed up, HIS grace could cover my sins and my shortcomings - thank you, Jesus!  But if HIS grace is sufficient for me, then couldn’t it be sufficient to help me forgive others’ shortcomings, other people’s offenses toward me?  HIS grace is so OVER-abundant, couldn’t it flow into me and give me enough grace to see past even the deepest hurts to the depths of my heart and soul and to allow me to trust again?

I’m not the most forgiving person.  I don’t offend easily, but when I do, it’s hard for me to get past it, sometimes.  (See me boasting gladly about my weaknesses? J) Many have forgiven more than it seems is their share.  Could I be that forgiving if I was ever hurt or betrayed like some?  I'm not SURE I could be...  Could I be forgiving or would my heart start to plan revenge or just close up for fear of being hurt again?  But I feel like this verse tells me I could be that forgiving.  Not on my own strength.  But if I tap into HIS strength, HIS grace, isn’t there enough then?  His Word says it is.  His Word says it is sufficient.  That means it is sufficient for you also.    

My thesaurus lists four synonyms for sufficient:  adequate, enough, satisfactory, and AMPLE.  HE has ample grace to give some to me to take care of my JUNK - and plenty more to overflow to others that “mess with me.”  J  I don't have to trust that I can find the strength to forgive.  I probably can't.  But HIS grace is sufficient. 

Praise God! 

MommyK

 

Storms of Life

Little did I know when I went to bed last night that the storm was coming.  I guess I should have.  It was so windy yesterday it was unbelievable.  My sweet Boo's football team won their 3rd Super Bowl yesterday.  It was awesome!!  He's played PeeWee/Midget ball since 2nd grade.  This was his last year and out of his 5 years playing, his team won the Super Bowl 3 times!!  But even as I sat in the stands cheering and watching like a momma is supposed to do, I was bracing myself and doing a lot of praying that I wasn't going to get blown out of the stands.  :) 

I also knew it was supposed to rain today.  It was supposed to rain and become really cold.  I was ok with that because I knew I was stuck at home with a croupy baby Roo.  The doctor said no church for her today or we'd have a bunch of croupy babies.  In the night, when he let the puppies out to potty, Coach confirmed that the rain had started.  The weatherman got it right today.

So knowing all this about the weather, I should have expected a storm.  But when I got up this morning and looked out our living room windows, I was surprised to see everything blown all over the yard.  Coach was surprised too, even though he had been out in a little of it.

Isn't that how it is in life?  Storms just come and catch us by surprise.  When we look back, we think we should have seen it coming.  But even when the signs are there, sometimes we are just taken by surprise.  Roo's croup for example -  she woke up coughing a little Wednesday.  Thursday it sounded a little worse, but since it was just in the early morning and then seemed to go away, I blew it off as drainage while she was sleeping.  I was smart enough to leave her with Nana while we all went to Coach's game Friday night, but by Saturday morning it was clear that something was wrong.  Surprise!!  And I felt terrible for not getting her help sooner. 

Sometimes we really are blind-sided with things.  I went for some routine tests several weeks ago.  I expected to get the call I always do.  "Got your results in.  Everything looks fine.  See ya next year."  But this time that was not the call I got.  This time I got, "It might not be anything, but we need some more tests."  And after those tests they needed more tests.  I thought I would be a total wreck, waiting for all these tests to come in, but after an initial melt-down and a few tears, I was ok.  My pastor's wife (who also happens to be my dear auntie) prayed with me for peace and strength and that's exactly what received.  I felt strong and I was so at peace that I was able to put it out of my mind and wait patiently.  God was there in the storm and in the worry.  He shouldered the burden of worry and gave me the strength to be myself - to take care of my kids, to do my job, to be a wife and daughter, and to wear all those hats that I wear daily without being preoccupied.  Finally the results came.  It was "probably" nothing serious.  Come back in 6 months and we'll check it again.  Not exactly the definitive NO I was hoping for, but still PEACE. 

I love the Casting Crowns song "Praise You In This Storm:
     I was sure by now
     God You would have reached down
     And wiped our tears away
     Stepped in and saved the day
     But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

     As the thunder rolls
     I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
     "I'm with you"
     And as Your mercy falls
     I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
     And takes away

 

Even when the storm is at it's worst, it's most violent, it's most scary, He's with us.  He never leaves.  And even if we don't get the phone call, the answer we are expecting or hoping for, He's battling the storm with us.  Even when He doesn't step in like a super hero and save the day, he's giving us the strength to face our fears and not give up.  He'll never leave or forsake us.  His mercy is new EVERY morning. 

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness

Have a very blessed and PEACEful week,

MommyK

Who's Authority Is It?

“[Submission to Governing Authorities] Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1 NIV

What a verse that is to think about this time of year - or should I say this time of every four years?  Next week, we will go to the polls and cast our vote for the candidate that we think is the man for the job.  Or we may feel like we are going to vote for the guy that we think will do the least amount of damage.  Either way, someone will win the election and it may not be the person that you voted for.  **Gasp!**  God's Word tells us to be subject to the governing authorities, not because we chose them or voted them there, but because they have been established by God. 

Each Christian that votes has an idea which candidate they feel God would want to be our leader.  Not all Christians have the same idea of who that is.  But this verse tells us that whoever wins is there because their authority has been established by God.  And our job is to subject ourselves to them - to their authority.  As much as it pains me to say it, because I definitely have a candidate that I favor over the other, I will have to subject myself to our president's authority regardless of the outcome.  Aargh!  Did I really say that?  I may have to bite my tongue a few times and work on my poker face. 

But it's really all about submitting to the authority of my Heavenly Father.  He has appointed each leader for a time.  It's all part of the Master's plan.  Good things, bad things, neutral in-between things - they are all leading us down the path spelled out in His Word years and years ago.  I may not agree with everything that will be done or that goes on.  I may cringe when I hear about decisions being made and actions being carried out "on behalf of the American people."  But, as they say, "I've read the back of the book."  I know how this thing is gonna end.  I know how my family and I will come out in the end and golden streets and beautiful mansions sound really good to me!  And besides that, I love singing and I hear the music is AWESOME!!

So chin up Christians.  Look further ahead than next Tuesday - and focus on the PRIZE!  I hope to see you there!!!

MommyK

And We're Off...

Hey there beautiful people.  Welcome to MommyK's Place.  I'm happy to be starting my very own blog.  My hope is that I can minister to your needs and anxieties about this whole "being responsible for little human beings" thing.  I won't claim to have all the answers, but as the proud mommy of 3 beautiful kiddos, chances are I might have some.  If there's some kind of trouble, my kids have found it.  If there is some sickness or injury, yep, probably been there.  If there is some idea of crazy, hey, I do crazy daily.  So hopefully I can shed some light on some topics and help you gain incredible wisdom from my... ok, mostly from my mistakes.  :) 

I am a happy bride of over 20 years to my computer "geek" (oops, I meant "tech")/football coach hubbie.  My "perfect" (bahahahaa) blessings are DD 16, DS 12, and DD 2.  Yes, we got a little surprise a couple of years ago.  Unexpected, but VERY appreciated.  We wouldn't change having our little Roo for anything. 

I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.  I am so thankful for his wonderful gift of salvation and eternal life.  I hope to serve up feasts of His Word as I join you each time in blog land.  I am so grateful for the blessings He has given me in my family, my home, and my job.  He lives in me and I hope to allow Him to shine through me as I share and visit with you friends. 

I am a special education teacher and after-school program director.  I LOVE my job!!  My students are the most tenacious, little characters and they brighten my life every day.  Sometimes the hours are long and my one month off in the summer cannot make up for all the extra time I spend nights and weekends, but I wouldn't change what I do if I could.  Did I mention I LOVE my job!!?

So thanks for joining me friends.  I am excited about this journey and thankful that you are here to begin it with me.  I do know that this adventure was planned lovingly by my Heavenly Father:

 ^"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

Thanks for journeying with me!

MommyK