His Grace is Sufficient! (and oh, for grace to trust Him more!)

As a few people know, I've been in almost constant pain since November 25, 2019, when Miss Suzie and I were rear-ended at a stop. While Miss Suzie looks pretty much like new after spending over a month at the auto body shop, my pain has ebbed and flowed, and has recently been near an all-time high. It's amazing just how much getting rear-ended can mess up your neck and back...

That said, though, I've been trying to learn to trust Christ more fully in this. Last weekend was a weekend camp in the snow with our high school group, and I was in so much pain Monday-Thursday of that week I didn't know if I would be able to make it to the camp. I prayerfully decided to go ahead and go, and just take it easy at the camp, which started Friday evening. Several family members and friends were praying, not only for my physical pain, but that we leaders could be a true blessing to the students, and that the students would be drawn closer to Christ. 

Going to the camp, I tried to have the mindset that Christ would be glorified in my weakness, and his power would be made perfect through my physical limitations. We recently had a sermon on 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, which reads:

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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

(English Standard). While my "weakness" on a physical level is not nearly as dramatic as Paul's, or even of many other individuals living today, I knew I wouldn't be able to get through the camp without His sufficient grace. And His grace truly was sufficient. Praise God, my symptoms were decreased during the camp, and I was able to participate, albeit carefully, in most of the activities. No one suffered any serious injuries. We were able to stay up late in our cabins having meaningful conversations (and we leaders had the energy to do so!). During the camp, God was working in the hearts of the leaders and students alike, and I am mind-blown by how receptive and hungry so many of the students were to better know Christ. 

So, while my physical, and, on an even higher level, spiritual, state was that of great weakness, Christ's grace was sufficient and his power was displayed through His work in our and our students' hearts. 

I don't want to share this to make myself look good; I struggle with hypocrisy, pride, and self-focus on a daily -- even hourly -- basis. During the camp, while I tried to pour out myself in service to our girls, I was far from perfect. The above paragraphs don't talk about the inner turmoil I have with sin, or the self-doubt, distraction, and insecurity I felt during the camp. But, God used us broken leaders to work in the lives of young men and women. THAT is the point. His grace was sufficient. His power is made perfect in my weakness. "When I am weak, then I am strong," for the strength I am forced to rely on is not my own, but His.

This sister, Dad, and I were all able to go, plus one of our brothers (he as a student)

 This sweet young lady and I even got to make a snowman! 

The group, after our hike! There was supposed to be lots of snow, but although it was probably freezing, the snow had all blown away by mid-day, when we arrived at the summit. 

Hold fast to Jesus,

Sonia