Sufficient Grace
My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness," Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
I think this is the perfect verse for Mother’s Day today. I don’t know any mom who feels like they have it all figured out. As a mom of young kids, I had to rely on God’s strength and grace every moment. His grace is the only reason my children turned out as good as they did! I constantly asked God for wisdom since there was no owner’s manual that came home from the hospital with them. Not that it would have helped, because as we know, every child is completely different.
Grace makes up for the difference that we lack. Like the verse says, it strengthens our weakness. I remember my oldest son going through a lying phase as a 4-year-old. I tried all the tools in my little mommy arsenal to get him to tell the truth, all to no avail. One day after he lied about hitting his sister, I told him that I would talk to God about what happened and wait in his room till I got back. So, I went into my room and asked God what to do next, and I got the answer. I heard in my heart, “tell him that the only person he can control is himself.” I didn’t know what that had to do with what I thought the issue was, but I told him what I felt God told me. The result was astounding! It got to the root of the problem that I didn’t even know existed!
Nothing in my life has required more grace than my role as a mom. As moms, I also think that we need to give ourselves grace. It is so easy to beat ourselves up for the mistakes we make with our children. However, don’t fall into the accuser (the devil’s) trap of beating yourself up. We are all doing the best that we know how to do. Therefore, if you mess up – ask God to forgive you, ask your child for forgiveness if you need to, and then forgive yourself.
The greatest thing we can do for ourselves and as parents are to learn to hear and follow the voice of the Holy Spirit. That’s how we gain the wisdom and strength that we need daily.
Dear Lord, thank you for your grace that helps me in my weaknesses. Thank you for your strength and wisdom each day. Amen.
