"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 (NIV)
In 2012, when I suffered a broken leg, I had a real life lesson about this verse. For the first time in my life I was helpless. After surgery and two weeks of in-patient therapy, I was sent home with a hospital bed and told that I could not stand until the bone was completely healed. So, for a little over four months, that bed was my dwelling place. I had to have everything done for me. And this is how I saw grace in action.
Because my husband worked all day, I had to find someone that would come to my house, mid-day five days a week, to help me. I put out a request on social media and got a couple of responses, only to be turned down when they found out what would be needed. Then, an unexpected message came from a dear lady who was the daughter of one of the precious women who was a part of our ministry at an independent living retirement center.
Although I had met Karen when she attended worship services with her mother, I didn't know her very well. I asked her if she was sure she wanted to help and she said she was one hundred percent sure. So began her daily trip to my house. She fixed me lunch. She helped me with personal matters. She helped to bathe me and get my hair clean. She changed my sheets and opened the blinds so I could see outside. Most of all, she gave me company. Those were lonely days and I treasured her visits.
Through her willingness to serve came the matchless grace of Jesus. My emotions were raw and I was questioning my worth. The Lord's love and acceptance came through her hands and words. I wonder sometimes if she ever realized what a vessel she was of His compassion. And I don't think she will ever understand how deeply she touched my heart and my life.
My hope is that my story is a reminder of how real the words of Scripture are. Paul's experience in asking for his thorn in the flesh to be removed and the answer God gave him is a message for all of us.
There may be many times and circumstances where we find ourselves helpless in this life. When those times come, we have the Lord to lean on and we can trust that He will be there and that His grace will be sufficient. He always knows what we will need before we need it and has already prepared to meet that need.
His Word is true. Lean on it. Trust in it. No matter how alone you may feel, He is there and He is strong enough to take care of you no matter where you find yourself. He promised.
God bless.
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