Monday, March 21, 2016

Sufficient Grace



My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

I am alone. Gray skies, snow falling. The cold and dreary weather fed my mood. 1200 miles from home, seeking medical treatment where I know no one, I felt overwhelmed and depressed. Chronic pain, not sleeping well, finding my way for appointments and meals, struggling with computer problems—I worked myself into a real pity party.

“My grace is sufficient …” No matter where I looked this verse came to me.

“Then why am I alone, Father? Why am I sick anyway? Haven’t I suffered enough? Isn’t it time for a break?”

“My grace is sufficient.” But I felt empty, out of sorts, grumpy, and irritable.

A walk through a major medical center always changes perspective. However, I didn’t want to rejoice that I wasn’t as sick as someone else. I wanted to be well, strong, healthy, and home, anywhere except where I was.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives an example: “the sufficiency of the portions is such that you will leave the restaurant with a full stomach but without doggie bags”. Do you get it? Enough. Not too much. Enough to satisfy my momentary needs, not enough for tomorrow or next week but enough for today—sufficient.

My travel went well, flights on time, weather fine. I couldn’t complain. People at the small, regional airport smiled. The young man at the rental car counter offered to bring the car around since it was raining—a nice gesture. The car was red. Any car would have been sufficient, but God gave a little extra.

Then I received a comment to a Facebook post. What are the odds an author from my small publisher would find me and invite me to church? I sat with him and his wife. The pastor prayed for me. They invited me for lunch. I was greeted warmly and invited back.

I wasn’t alone. My situation remained the same but God was sufficient. I was down, He gave me a smile. I was lonely, He gave me a church.

Whatever weighs you down, God is sufficient. And sometimes, because God loves to see us smile, He gives a little bit extra. A little red car and new friends.

Sufficient grace. Thank Him.


© Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, March 20, 2016

About the author:
Norma Gail is the author of the contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 40 years. They have two adult children.
Connect with Norma:
Book Links:
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http:// lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/

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