How Do I Live Sufficient Grace?

  Ever had a lyric or a verse stuck in your head? There is one in my head.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”  2 Corinthians 12:9

Over and over it runs through my head reminding me that God is enough. I firmly believe it, yet I struggle to live it out. When Paul asked the Lord to remove the thing that challenged him the most, God responded with, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I feel like I have so many weaknesses, so many challenges, that I can’t fix.  No amount of determination will make things the way I want them to be apart from divine intervention. I have to figure out what it means to live knowing His grace is sufficient. I get it.  God is enough, but why doesn’t it feel that way?  Sometimes I get it better than others.  Sometimes I know to my core He is enough – His grace is enough. Other times life just overwhelms me with clutter, chores, children, and challenges. Honestly, if His grace appeared in the form of a maid or a cook or a home manager I might “get it” a little better.  I don’t mean to be silly…well, too silly…I just can’t deny that sometimes nothing seems sufficient to truly cover the tasks that lay before me. Lord, what does it look like?  How do I live sufficient grace? I’m still figuring this out, but I believe that time in the Word – reading, studying, and memorizing it will transform my mind and change my perspective.  I believe God will do by the transforming of my mind and heart.  Maybe it will happen without me realizing it.  Someday, hopefully soon, I’ll look back on the day and know without a doubt that God’s grace was sufficient for the day.  It wasn’t that I was sufficient or that the tasks were lessened, but that His grace, HIS grace, was sufficient – completely sufficient. When the laundry never ends, His grace is sufficient. When the dishes are piled high, His grace is sufficient. When the house explodes with clutter, His grace is sufficient. When it feels like everything’s a second from imminent disaster, His grace is sufficient. When I can’t figure out how to do this single parent thing (AT ALL)! – His grace is sufficient. When I’m lonely (how is that even possible?), His grace is sufficient. When I’m overwhelmed (when am I not?), His grace is sufficient. When I’m exhausted (perpetually), His grace is sufficient. When finances scares me, His grace is sufficient. When the car makes odd noises, His grace is sufficient. When the basement floods (again), His grace is sufficient. When the doctor can’t figure out what’s wrong, His grace is sufficient. When comments meant to help hurt instead, His grace is sufficient. When my children struggle, His grace is sufficient. When I don’t want to make ONE MORE DECISION, His grace is sufficient. When I begin the day, live the day, and end the day, His grace is sufficient. Lord, thank you that your grace is sufficient.  Thank you that no matter my circumstances, my sorrows, my challenges, or my joys, your grace is all I need.