Grace at Just the Right Time

If I've ever sounded harsh, or if you've ever thought me cold with my attitude of "get over it" or "suck it up", although I sometimes think there's still a place for that, I must apologize. This week I remembered something I'd repressed since childhood. Sounds dramatic. It was, and I'll admit, I'm still reeling from everything that has transpired, and the fallout that's coming out of that.

Interestingly, just before this revelation I had the opportunity to sit in on five Zoom sessions titled "Embracing Grace in Daily Routines". In addition to that, only a few weeks ago I had the privilege of beta-reading another author's biography titled "Enduring Hope".

Has this ever happened to you? God sends the perfect person, or situation, into your life at just the right time? Sometimes, even when we feel too busy, or maybe when we're sitting inside a quiet moment, God will reach down and remind us of something. We may, at that time, wonder "why would I think that random thought right now?" or "I don't know why that person just said that, but there must be a reason,"? Often, God will use a person to relay a message, He might give us opportunity to read or listen to something, or we'll hear one verse in a message that hits us differently. We may not even consciously notice it in those few seconds, but soon, at the opportune moment, it will move into our thoughts again - right when He knew we'd need it.

In the biography I mentioned, Jennifer Arrington reminds us that there are no verses in the Bible that say God won't give us more than we can handle. Rather, there are verses that say when we're weak, He is strong. Yes, He does give us more than we can handle on our own, but He affords us grace through every painful time.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 are verses that have moved into my brain and heart in recent days, because God knew I'd need them now. He used two other people to remind me of this, right before the tough stuff started.

Verse nine says: "And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."" What a wonderful reminder that our Saviour's power is accessible when we're at our lowest - when we're feeling traumatized, mourning, and heartsore. The next verse is braver, and although I don't feel strong as I write this blog, with God's grace and mercy, strength will come.

Verse ten: "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." (NASB1995)

If you're going through a challenging season, I hope these verses give you comfort too. God allows tough stuff to happen, but He's always there to hang onto us as we fall, to comfort us when we mourn, and love us with an unending love.

No matter what, HE IS GOOD -- even if, and when, it's tougher to see -- God is always GOOD!

Love,

Pattie Janzen

I continue to pray for you. If you'd like me to pray for anything specific, I'd be more than glad to do so. I appreciate your prayers, as well.

A special thank you to Connie Unger (Christian Holistic Wellbeing Coach), the facilitator of the "Embracing Grace in Daily Routines" five-day encounter. You can find out more information on these sessions, and about her, on her Facebook page: Connie Unger.

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