“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 HCSB
I’m in a group at my church that offers to make meals for members of our congregation when needed. There has been an extra need lately.
This past week, I was planning to join some others to help a family prepare their home for an upcoming sale. As I began to head over that afternoon, I asked the organizer if there was anything she needed me to bring.
She said, “We honestly had lots of people show up. Would you be willing to make a hearty soup they could eat over the next couple days?”
Nervously I asked, “How many servings are you looking for?”
She told me, “They have 6 people.”
I replied, “Oh, I thought you wanted soup for the ‘lots of people’! Sure, I can make it for the family.”
To be honest, it took me a while to get started. I searched for a recipe. I questioned my ability. My husband finally picked one. He even suggested I could buy some canned soup and add to it. But I knew this was something the Lord was asking me to do.
After shopping for the ingredients, I made a chicken minestrone soup from scratch. My first time. I was stretched outside of my comfort zone throughout the process. I tweaked the recipe, adding and modifying as needed. Once it cooled a bit, I delivered the soup.
The following day, I went back over to the house to help with some cleaning. The mom pulled the soup out of the fridge and started heating it for the family’s dinner. The children (who are dealing with some health issues right now) asked for seconds! What a special blessing to see them enjoying their meal, especially since they are missing out on “normal” life right now.
I know the Lord was using this request to help me realize that if I won’t invest the time and effort to do this kind of healthy cooking for myself, He’ll send me out to do it for others. He allowed me to see them enjoy the soup, which is encouraging me to take the extra time and effort to prepare better foods as a way to worship Him and also to serve others and my own family.
When we are willing to do what He asks, even when we are weak in that area, He will help us. He will strengthen us to the task at hand and will use it to bless others and encourage us to keep trusting and following Him.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for the many gifts and blessings You have provided. We long to follow Your leading. Yet, many times we feel weak and uncertain that we are the ones who should carry out Your plan. Please help us to trust You and remember that Your “power is perfected in weakness”. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Journal: In what areas are you weak? Are you willing to be used even in your weakness?
Porch Chair Prayers 