Grace

A long time ago I had a conversation with one of the wisest women I know Melody Crabill and she told me a verse that she said she studied. I typed it up and printed it out several times and stuck it in different places so I'd always have a copy with me. Today, as I'm sitting here and just really not feeling right - I pull my Bible out of my purse and I run across one of those pieces of paper. It's this scripture from the Amplified Bible:

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!




10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).

This verse has been with me for so many years....I've dwelled on it and pulled it out when I've been needed to be reminded of God's grace....Today, I just want to thank God for His unfailing Love and His undeniable Grace that's been freely given to me. ME - someone who has sinned and fallen short. Someone who is by no means perfect and has MANY flaws.

I am one of God's children....so much in those 6 words..... *sigh*

**Still sitting and pondering this verse - and this passage...isn't God good?

My Bible is well worn, and has pages coming loose, even has the front pages (Like where you write who your family is and stuff like that) completely gone. (I have no idea where they are either. Some of the pages are dogeared and a ton of the pages are highlighted and written on. I have notes from sermons stuffed in there and pieces of paper with my favorite verses on them stuck inside the cover of this "old friend". I am so glad this "old friend" doesn't shun me, or walk away from me when I don't pay attention to it. Thank God that He's the same way!!! I'm sooooo glad that the Lord hasn't given up on me, or shunned me, or said I wasn't worth the wait.

I have so many things going through my head - my first youth pastor and his wife are going through a major battle and I've been thinking of all the good times I had as a young child growing up in church....all the things I learned, the smell of the church library, all the family events that were held in the church, the raquetball courts, etc. I have been brought up always believing and serving my God. I'm so glad He's kept His promises to me!

Just a few tidbits of info and a few of my feelings at the moment...