Many of you have popped in from the Internet Cafe — welcome. For you regular readers, all seven of you, I'm a contributor writer with the Christian Women Online's Internet Cafe– pop over there today and take a look. It's a wonderful community and I'm honored to be among this talented group.
As I struggled to put together a witty, charming and deeply spiritual blog, I hit a brick wall. I don’t mean just bumped into it, I slammed into it doing about 90 mph. I wrote some really cute stuff – an analogy of my life as a rollercoaster (wooden and clunky, not the smooth steel one), but it wasn’t right. I wrote about joy in my life (and I have the joy of the Lord), but that wasn’t right. I wrote about something else (I’ve completely forgotten that one, but I think it was good, let’s hope so). None of these were right, but I thought they were fun and witty, but they weren’t the words that the Lord would have me to write. I deleted them, but not until after some whining.
I’m trying so hard to listen to Him and follow Him, but I must tell you I really wanted to share that cute rollercoaster thing – I liked it. I even had a bit of rebellion with the Lord, but He quickly reminded me that He is in charge. And that’s so true. Whenever I drive this …..rollercoaster (it’s okay here)… I manage to crash completely or at least get one wheel off the track – not a good ride. We’re much better off when He’s at the wheel.
My grace is sufficient for you for power is perfected in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
My grace is sufficient for you – wow! that’s an amazing statement, when you think about it. God’s grace is sufficient. It’s enough. It’s all that I need. I can definitely understand that grace today – I live under it. It’s His grace that gets me through the day. In the last few months I’ve struggled with being over scheduled, overstressed and, at times, overwhelmed, but His grace is sufficient.
It’s when I’m at my wit’s end that I realize just how sufficient His grace is. It’s when the deadline is looming, the job is overwhelming, and the checkbook is low that I realize just how sufficient His grace is. And not only do I realize His grace, but I also realize that He cares for me. He picks me up – repeatedly – and forgives me when I lose sight of Him and neglect my time with Him.
I’ll continue to be a work in progress, but I know that the Lord delights in me and I in Him. I know that He is my strength and my joy. I know that in Him I will find grace, forgiveness and love.
So, I’m off to soak in His grace – I need a measure (or two) of it. I’m just days away from a book deadline, but I know that the Lord has the words for me and I’m trusting Him – of course, He’s telling me that I need to plant myself at the keyboard and stay away from blogs, email, and news feeds. Focus. That’s my prayer today – focus.
In his grip
I so enjoyed your writings this morning. I came over from the cafe, and will probably stay for lunch. Thank you for your insigt.
I also came over from the Cafe,….as a former foster parent for 19 years and an adopted mother of 7, I truly connect w/what you’re saying in regards to the responsibility of the church. It’s also started some niggling in my, brain and in my heart abt what we ,as a church,can do abt the older f.kids that have no one. Thanks for the nudge.
Marie
Thank you for your honesty. I am coming back to my writing and speaking after years of caring for aged parents. In prayer I knew God wanted humor in my writing,but the tough reality of my life. I’m still finding my way, but your blog has blessed me wonderfully. You have 8 of us now, and I believe you will be most surprised how many are coming to this great “river” of truth.
Mary, I too am a contributor at the Cafe. I left you a comment there. Congratulations on your book.
It’s nice to meet you,
Julie
PS. I heard it said once in a sermon “There are no longer good days and bad days, only days of grace. Some days you are given the grace to endure what is going on and some days you are given the grace to enjoy what is going on. But from now on there are only days of grace.”
Hey Mary, Thanks so much for dropping by my blog.
I love today’s post. Keep writing. : )
Thank you for dropping by my blog via the Siesta summer study! What a powerful study to examine ourselves and identify our functional gods. God bless you abundantly!
Oh I am so excited for your book to come out! I am eager to read it. I am hoping you won’t get this comment any time soon, because that would mean you are checking blogs, etc! Good luck staying on track and good luck with the deadline!
I am thrilled to have come across your blog and will check out the Internet Cafe.
Thanks! I’ll be visiting again soon.
Nancy