“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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

We never know exactly what Paul’s “thorn in my flesh” was, but Jesus responded that His grace was enough. None of us like to talk about our weaknesses. I have had this verse in my journal for quite a while but have by passed it so many times. But I believe that today is the day to “boast” about my weaknesses and the strength of Jesus.

The whole story would take far too long to tell, so I will try to condense it. After about 5 years into my first teaching assignment, a BEH (Behaviorally/Emotionally Handicapped) 4^th through 6^th grade classroom, I was promoted to an itinerant position for our county. I drove the whole county, working with students and teachers. After an incident where I “lost time” while with a mainstreamed student, I was ultimately diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy. I was 26 and my world had just crashed.

But His “everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27) were there to catch me. Jesus gave me the strength to get through all of acronyms, EEG’s and MRI’s. He gave me the strength to keep teaching. He gave the doctor wisdom to figure out the best meds. Jesus gave me His strength and hope when I couldn’t face my future.

But my weakness doesn’t end there and neither does His strength. After the birth of my second child, I was diagnosed with Chron’s disease. At times between the two medical conditions I was taking over 18 pills a day. But Jesus’ strength still flowed through my life helping me to handle all the activities and responsibilities of raising two kids and dealing with my weaknesses.

Twenty-three years after the epilepsy diagnosis, against my doctor’s recommendation, I wanted to get off the meds, I hadn’t had a seizure in 22 years and my daughter was sixteen and could chauffer us around. I went off the meds and never had another seizure. Jesus’ strength not only got me through but healed my epilepsy! I still have Chron’s, but again, the Lord has given me strength and carried me through the most difficult and painful times. With His strength I am living and thriving through my weaknesses.

Believe me, I do have other weaknesses, but Jesus gives me strength with all. So I am happy to “boast” in my weaknesses so that “Christ’s power” can shine through me.

This week, lay your weaknesses at the Lord’s feet. Let His strength and power rest on you. Boast in your weakness, that Christ’s power may be “made perfect”.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we, like Paul, boast in our weaknesses so that Christ’s power shines through.

Blessings and strength in weakness!