Jesus said: "My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9
for my power is made perfect in weakness."
2 Corinthians 12:9
One day this past week I found myself rushing from place to place with so much to do in so little time. Yet, I was able to squeeze in a nail appointment. But even there I nervously watched the time, and when I was finished, I quickly said good-bye and rushed toward the door. But just as I reached it, I heard someone call my name and say, “You’re not walking out the door without saying hello, are you?” As I turned toward the voice, I stopped in my tracks catching sight of a friend I hadn’t seen in a long time. It was great to see her and even though it was short, we had a wonderful visit, and as I drove away, the memory of the years of our friendship lingered.
We first met when our daughters were in the fourth grade. She was the PTA president and as such was always the one out in front. I remember well one of the first times we met. It was at a parents’ meeting at her home, and true to form, she was outgoing and seemed to be in her element speaking to all those parents. I remember thinking I could never do that. The very idea of standing in front of a bunch of people and opening my mouth scared me silly, for it’s totally against my nature.
But the years passed, and as they did, I became serious about reading and studying the Bible, and something began to happen within me. I felt the brewing of a desire to pass onto other women what I was learning. But how could I ever do that? I was simply too shy to open my mouth. But the desire within me grew and one day God opened the door and believe it or not I found myself leading a women’s Bible Study, and one of the attendees was this long-time friend of mine. I’ll never forget how surprised she was that I was able to speak in front of these women, for she had always thought of me as too shy and reserved to do such a thing. She was amazed. In fact, over the years in our private conversations, in a light-hearted way, she often reminded me of how far I had come.
Well, all these memories flooded back when I ran into her the other day, and I realized afresh that it’s not me who has come so far, it’s God who has turned my weakness into His strength. Even in the midst of a busy day, He stopped me in my tracks and used the memory of a long-time friendship to remind me that His power shows up in my weakness!
That amazes even me.
Blessings and love to all,
Judy Rose Grubaugh
We first met when our daughters were in the fourth grade. She was the PTA president and as such was always the one out in front. I remember well one of the first times we met. It was at a parents’ meeting at her home, and true to form, she was outgoing and seemed to be in her element speaking to all those parents. I remember thinking I could never do that. The very idea of standing in front of a bunch of people and opening my mouth scared me silly, for it’s totally against my nature.
But the years passed, and as they did, I became serious about reading and studying the Bible, and something began to happen within me. I felt the brewing of a desire to pass onto other women what I was learning. But how could I ever do that? I was simply too shy to open my mouth. But the desire within me grew and one day God opened the door and believe it or not I found myself leading a women’s Bible Study, and one of the attendees was this long-time friend of mine. I’ll never forget how surprised she was that I was able to speak in front of these women, for she had always thought of me as too shy and reserved to do such a thing. She was amazed. In fact, over the years in our private conversations, in a light-hearted way, she often reminded me of how far I had come.
Well, all these memories flooded back when I ran into her the other day, and I realized afresh that it’s not me who has come so far, it’s God who has turned my weakness into His strength. Even in the midst of a busy day, He stopped me in my tracks and used the memory of a long-time friendship to remind me that His power shows up in my weakness!
That amazes even me.
Blessings and love to all,
Judy Rose Grubaugh