Strength in Weakness

                          

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Back in August 2021, our friends, Tom and Alane Waters, asked Kevin and me to share on their “Unbroken” marriage podcast series for Restoration International. We recorded 5 audio segments with them which were aired back in October/November.  We talked about God’s leading in our lives through our growing up years, dating, engagement, marriage, conversion, parenting, and most recently through our journey with ALS. (Here’s the link to the first episode and where you can find the others): Special Guests: Kevin & Shelly – Part 110/12/2021|18 min)

Recording this was no small feat as I had to pre-record my comments on the text-to-speech app on my phone since my voice is fading. But it was a blessing to remember and recount God’s goodness in our lives. We pray it is a blessing to all those who listen.

Several weeks after it aired Tom and Alane called to ask if we’d be willing to share at the National Family Retreat (NFR) in Oklahoma in April. https://www.rionline.orgRestoration International  Their theme is “Relentless” and they thought some of our story demonstrates that theme. I had to chuckle as I told Kevin,  “Funny that we are getting these requests to speak…when I CAN’T speak!” But I want to be a blessing to others for as long as I can so we prayed and agreed that we were willing as the Lord gave me strength.

However, after my fall in December and subsequent decline we began to wonder if it was prudent to try and go to NFR. We talked to the Waters while I was in ER with chest heaviness in January and told them it might be wise to find replacement speakers in case we couldn’t do it.

In the few weeks following we prayed that He would make His will known. My continuing decline seemed to be a sign that it would be a real challenge to attend the retreat so we reluctantly canceled, but offered to record a video of us sharing for one of the messages.  However, I  began to wonder…”My neck muscles are weak and I’m having low stamina.  How can I be camera worthy enough to video a presentation?!”

But as the deadline approached we prepared and made plans to do the recording. I seem to get more easily stressed and anxious lately, but the morning of the recording I had a special prayer for strength and felt God’s sustaining Presence. I prayed that his strength would be made perfect in my weakness.  As we recorded I felt God’s Presence. Kevin shared from Isaiah 40:27-31 that He will renew our strength. We took several breaks and my neck seemed to have extra strength. Praise Him! 

Looking back over the progression of events and having to cancel I was reminded of a helpless eaglet being pushed out of the nest. She’s weak, scared and feels unable to fly. She finds herself plummeting, floundering, helplessly flapping her wings when suddenly she feels a secure presence as her parent swoops underneath to save her from certain failure.

I’m pretty weak and helpless; I seem to have more and more “failures” as my abilities are becoming more limited. But somehow even as I seem to be floundering, I must be willing for Him to be my strength. 

Sometimes I almost feel too weak in energy to connect with Him.  But my daughter, Bethany, reminded me, “Mom, those days you just have to rest under His wings.” I seem to be doing a lot of resting lately by spending the biggest part of these beautiful spring days sitting outside soaking up the sunshine. So even when I’m having to rest under His wings I can know that I am in His will as I let His strength be made perfect in my weakness.