My face was numb from the stress that was incurred. I worked hard not to let my feelings be known. I simply walked away. Later I thought about the “trauma” I had endured. The pain I had felt. And As much as I wanted to engage it, I knew that it was small, infinitesimal compared to what Jesus had endured. Paul had embraced.

As I thought about the time I had gone through. The wrongness of it all, I realized that God has me on a path. Not a path like yours and thankfully yours, not like mine.

I have incurred some difficult times over nearly 60 years. Those hardships did not necessarily make me stronger so much as they made me more dependent on Him. In my weakness. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor 12:9 Paul later goes on to say, “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong”.  Honestly, I am not sure how he makes the jump to strong.

I know today I have been made weaker on all levels. Emotionally, physically and spiritually. I am not sure how the strong kicks in. An incident pulled the carpet, removed the veil. How do I become strong?

I read these posts “what does not kill you will make you stronger” and I wonder. Is it smoke and mirrors? I mean, if I cut off my leg, what is the benefit? Is it false bravado? As one who has been shot at and faced guns and crazy people, I do not think they made me stronger. Unless we define stronger as turning to Him. Unless we define stronger as “wiser”.

The world needs a Savior. It is found in Him who is found in you.

I watched with great interest a recent video that has gone “mega viral” in the world today. It ends with the words “Christmas is for sharing”. Crazy tear jerker of an ad. (No it is not the new penguins one!)

This week a young friend was going through a difficult time. Another friend turned to him and said “”you need to go with him on Sundays” while pointing to me.  A door opened.

Whatever you or I are going through, surely He is there. It is not so much about about who you are so much as it is about who He was and is and is to come!