Glory in Infirmities

Last night I was talking with a very dear friend of mine after church. She was asking me about Africa, where we'd live, when we're going... the same questions everyone asks that I have no answer to... This sweet friend said something that shocked me, "You're so brave. Your whole family is. Even when I talk to your children, they reflect your courage." I couldn't even believe what I was hearing! I know our own weaknesses are often magnified to ourselves because we know ourselves so well... but BRAVE!? (I hope that sentence just made sense.) I would consider fear to be one of my greatest downfalls.

It's confession time: I've woken up my sleeping husband many many times before to go look for the "bad guy" I just KNEW was lurking around the house somewhere. So, Tyler bought me a shot gun. He tried to teach me how to shoot it. I cried because I was afraid of it. He bought me these little thingies you put on the doors that sound an alarm when the door opens. They didn't fit on any of our doors. So, I have this fear-driven ritual I do before I go to bed. Make sure the windows are shut and locked on the first floor... even if it's 90 degrees outside. Check the doors to be sure they're secure. Turn on ALL outside lights. (I'm sure my neighbors have room-darkening window treatments because of the BRIGHTEST house in Port Gibson.) Not only that, I make sure the cell phone is in our bedroom just in case the phone line is cut off in the night. In the summer time, I can't sleep with the door closed when our air conditioning is on. I want to be able to hear if someone is crying, the fire alarm is beeping, or anything else that you could think of that a mom might need to hear in the night. And that's all just for when I'm sleeping!!!

I was just studying God's strength displayed in a believer's life this afternoon. I had to share this so we all may glory in the Lord together.


And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore will I take pleasure in infirmities... for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Thankfully, we all lack in some things. Some of us lack in more areas than others. It's all for His glory!! He created us as weak, pitiful people in desperate need of His grace. When we see "lack" in other people, we shouldn't get frustrated with them. (I'm speaking to myself here now...) We should thank God for an opportunity to prove Himself strong on their behalf.

So please, if you see an ounce of courage or anything else praise-worthy in this frail girl... lift your hands and give God the glory He is due!! I'll do the same, and He will be magnified in our midst.