“for when I am weak, then I am strong”

2 Corinthians 12:10

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 Yesterday was a crazy day.  An appointment in the morning, home by lunch, then I needed to do some laundry, tidy up a little and do several things to prepare for my son’s American Lit class at 4:00.  It was my turn to host.  And believe me, you haven’t lived until you’ve discussed The Scarlet Letter with a group of fourteen-year-old boys.

Then I needed to take said carload of boys to Bible study.  I help out at class, so I got home about 9:30 last night.  And all of that was with fairly strong back pain because of something I did on Sunday.  So everything I accomplished was slowly and carefully so as not to aggravate whatever I tweaked.

A busy, laborious day.  I got through everything I had to do, exhausted and headache-y by the end.  I was painfully aware (literally) that everything I accomplished was through His strength in my weakness.  And I was so glad of that.

You see, I’ve been a mom for 17 years now.  I’ve been a teacher for twelve, and a wife and homemaker for 24 years.  I know what I’m doing, and it’s really easy for me to feel like I’ve got it all well in hand.  Sometimes I think ~ dare I say out loud ~ that I don’t need Him.  I’ve got this.  I mean, I never consciously think that, but neither do I ask for His help on a daily basis, to do all that my roles ask of me. 

The days I think I’m doing well, I’m at my lowest.  Any day that I’ve got the reins, I’m keeping Him from doing all He could be in my life.  I underestimating His power… ignoring His wisdom.    Isaiah 64:6 says we are all like an unclean thing, and our righteousness like filthy rags.  You see?  The best I have to offer pales in comparison to His work in my life.  Yet way too often, I have a tendency to try and fly solo.

But when I’m weak, I lean on Him.  And all of a sudden, my worst day… is my best.

~ “You are my Lord,

My goodness is nothing apart from You.” ~

Psalm 16:2

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photo credit: Hannah Harris Fine Art