His Grace is Enough

Key Verse:  2 Corinthians 12:9 “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.” (NIV)

My oldest is a very compassionate and caring young man.  He has always worn his feelings on his sleeve.  However, he is also my dramatic child.  He exaggerates his pain so much you would think that he is dying.  So, when he came in and said his back hurt “extremely bad”, after being bumped by our 4 month old calf, I didn’t think too much of it.  The next day he went to school where he played kickball, ran and jumped around. He then came home and wrestled with his younger brother. Before bed, he said it hurt badly.  I gave him some Tylenol and told him to go to bed.  This went on for about a week, when he came to me and said that it hurt to go to the bathroom I decided to take him in thinking that there may be more to this.  On Friday we went in and the doctor took x-rays. Everything looked fine; it was most likely just a deep bruise.  The next week the doctor called saying that the radiologist found a hairline fracture on his coccyx bone. He broke his tail bone! I felt horrible! I felt this was a major failure on my part as a mom.  I had so many negative thoughts about myself running through my head. My son had his first broken bone and needed me to be compassionate, I failed. There was nothing that we could really do except let it heal. Nothing would have been different if I took him in sooner. I am not perfect, I know this, and I have made plenty of mistakes. So, why do I, as a woman, and as a mom feel so guilty or awful when I make mistakes? (I know I’m not the only woman or mom that feels this way.)

This is our encouragement: “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.  I am so grateful for a God that forgives me.  His Grace is sufficient for me. If He can forgive me, I can forgive myself and learn from my mistakes instead of feeling guilty over them.  Feeling guilty is one of my many weaknesses. Through these weaknesses His power is made perfect. Wow! To think that by me admitting my weaknesses and areas where I struggle I can affirm God’s strength.

Father God, I thank You that I have weaknesses, and that Your power can shine through to me and others.  Please continue to show me my weaknesses so I can continue to depend on You for strength and power. Nothing is too big for You.

Shannon Smith

Shannon is the mother to three wonderful children and wife to Scott for almost sixteen years. Together their family makes their home in northern Minnesota on a 40 acre farm. They love all things outdoors including hunting and fishing and taking care of their chickens and cow. Shannon’s passion lies in teaching her students, writing and reading. One day, it is her dream to write a children’s book. Shannon’s heart is to love the Lord and be used of Him. Shannon has her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Bemidji State University.