That You May Excel in Every Good Work

Anyone else feeling a little overwhelmed lately?  Anyone else feeling like there is more to do than one mama can possibly do?  I feel that way sometimes.  And let’s not blame it on my having about a hundred kids, (read here.)  It happens to everyone, with any number of children.

Sometimes it may be of my own doing.  Sometimes I’m trying to cram in more stuff, more “doing” than the Lord requires of me.  And sometimes, I’m just overwhelmed by the necessities.

So how did I ever make it this far? 

I am 26 years into my motherhood career.  I have graduated 6 children from homeschooling, and have 9 more to go.  Some things these days are easier than ever.  For instance, I have no children in diapers, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!
Yet somehow, I don’t find myself with loads of time on my hands.  New responsibilities have been added to my plate.  

As I think back over the last 26 years, I have been here MANY times before.  And every time, I come to the end of myself and cry out to God for help.  Then He stretches me.  He doesn’t usually shrink my “to do” list. (Unless He shows me that I need to take something off the list.)  But somehow, He stretches me.

Not so long ago, I asked Him to stretch me again.  Actually, I asked Him morning, noon, and night.  For a couple weeks.  A lot.  And He showed me this:

“And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.”  II Corinthians 9:8

Wow! What an awesome promise!  EVERY grace, in EVERY way, ALWAYS, EVERYTHING you need, that you may EXCEL in EVERY good work!

And I began to pray THAT prayer!  Not just to survive and get by, but to EXCEL in EVERY good work that He has called me to.  And He was already on it!

I hear women say to me often,

“I could never do what you do.” 

Neither can I, until He stretches me.  And more often than not, shows me a better way than whatever pathetic thing I have been attempting. Which He has done again and again and again.  When I cry out to Him with a genuine desire to serve and be used by Him, He answers. 

All of the words above were written more than 2 weeks ago… however,

Two weeks ago today, my husband suffered a stroke.

We are still in ICU as I type these words. And we may have an incredibly long road ahead of us. I am trying not to think too far ahead, I’m trying not to panic, and I’m trying to take one moment at a time.

Our lives will likely never be the same. There’s been a lot of that happening in the last couple of years. But whatever is next, the Lord is holding us. Through all the raging infernos we have faced, He has never, NEVER let go.

So Lord, cause every grace to overflow to us, so that in every way, having everything we need, we may excel in even this good work.

Be encouraged, mama. Whatever God has called you to, He will give you everything you need to accomplish it! You were made for this!