Weak But Mighty

"So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong...." ~a message from the apostle Paul.

I can hardly wait to hear what I have to say!

Ok, I stole that line from my dad, Boomer, but it's true. He says that before he has to give a presentation that he hasnt rehearsed. Makes me laugh every time!! He never has to practice speaking in public. He always pulls it off...He's just that good!

My dad, Boomer, with my mom. 

I'm just not sure where to begin...

But I'm thankful for my muscle disease.

There I said it.

Sooooo what do you think of me now? Crazy? Delusional? Untruthful? Not very bright? I would've said yes, yes, yes and YES  a few short years ago.

Christian friends,  I'm most concerned about your reaction. I know many of you are asking God to
heal me. You want me to be well. You want me to have my old life back and be "made whole," and be
"restored."

I love you all. You've worried over me. You've told me to go here and there in order to receive healing...to pray this way and that. You've given me books to read and sermons I need to hear. You've shared your favorite songs with me and prayed with me. You've loved me well.
And you've assured me that God is in control when I wasn't sure.

I love the prayers of God's people. I need them. So please don't stop praying for me.

But I don't want my former life back...because I'm actually stronger than I've ever been.

This illness has challenged me in ways I never dreamed of. But honestly, what's wrong with being challenged? I needed it. Challenge makes us sharper. It rearranges us and our lives. It has a way of bringing everything into focus...

Ok, maybe not at first, but eventually.

When was the last time your life was rearranged by a remarkable challenge?
Last year?
Ten years ago?
Yesterday?
Maybe it was this morning. I don't know your circumstances. Hang in there my friend. Things change.

The challenges of this disease buried me for awhile. But by God's grace, and because of the prayers of people like you, I didn't stay buried.

I have emerged a different woman, though.
That can't be helped. I couldn't be the same if I tried.
I'm not weak. I'm strong. Stronger than ever.

Weak But Mighty

...that's me now

Which brings me to the change in my URL. You may have noticed that... I've also titled this article the same thing.

Why the change? I'll tell you, those are extremely important words to me!
See, that little phrase is the summation of the passage of Scripture I posted at the beginning of this article.

When we were both diagnosed with this muscle disorder, my daughter and I needed the Word of God in order to gain some perspective. Yes, she has it too. So we went through some Scriptures
together.
The apostle Paul had just the words we needed in the verses from 2Corinthians above.

Kristin actually summarized the totality of what we read with the words, Weak But Mighty, and then had them tattooed on her forearm. She asked me to do the same.
I couldn't say no.
Those words, along with a small cross, are tattooed on the back of my neck. (Yes, Jesus still loves me and No, I didn't sin)
Thank you for caring.

She's a pretty smart cookie, don't you think?
My daughter...She's stronger than I am in a lot of ways. She's delightful, honest, smart, determined and beautiful. You'd love her. And I think her summation of Scripture is absolutely brilliant...Yeah, I'm biased, but I'm also right.

As we discussed strength, though, we came to realize that it had very little to do with the physical variety people usually think of.

According to Merriam it can be the quality or state of being physically strong, of course...But, it's also the ability to resist being moved or broken by force.
And the quality that allows someone to deal with life's problems in a determined and effective manner.   
I sure could use more of that!
But there's more... Strength is also the power and might to resist force of legal, moral and illogical force! Don't you love that?!?
The Biblical definition says it's possessing the power to perform natural and supernatural deeds! Yesss! Now we're talking!

Conversely, Biblical weakness is derived from a Greek word that speaks to an ailment, which deprives someone of the ability to enjoy and accomplish what they would like to--especially if it causes them to be wrongly, overly dependent on someone else.

AMAZING!
Do you see it? I don't have that! That isn't me.
Yes, I'm physically weak. But that's where my weakness ends. Yes, I had to start over.  But, I love my new life! I'm enjoying life and accomplishing new things all the time and it's great!

This 'weakness' has taught me to be more in tune with my God...more aware of the different talents He's given me...things I never even knew I possessed! All because I was forced to.

I'm stronger than I've ever been. I'm more sure of who I am and where I am going in this life. I've learned to truly live one day at a time and never to presume on the future. I don't take my next breath for granted. Or people. Or money. Or my next meal. Or my ability to move. And it's all good.

No. Nothing is the same for me. Even my faith is radically different. It isn't neat and tidy. It isn't the sanitized version of the Christian life you used to see. It's down and dirty. It's lofty and lovely. And it's somewhere in between.
It's messy one day and organized the next. And it's real. REAL! Maybe more real than it's ever been. And Jesus, the Word Who became flesh and walked among us... He's at the center. All day~Everyday. All night~Every night.
Yes, I'm physically weak friends, but through Him, I'm infinitely mighty.

Bless you friends...Peace xx

"Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power"