When I Am Weak
Last week after church I was speaking with several of our ladies. At this time of the year - the kids go back to school, college kids that have been home for the summer leave home again, and the newly graduated ones leave for the first time. As we were talking I verbalized a question I have wondered about quite often since I have been an "empty nester." Though all of my kids have been married for several years, (my youngest celebrated his 4th wedding anniversary), this year I feel it so much more because I am not working outside the home.
What I have wondered about is - why do women have to go through "the change"at the same time as she goes through the emotional changes of having her children leave home? Isn't one of those changes at a time enough? As it is, women have the joy of carrying the babies, delivering the babies (so their bodies go through those changes), why do those 2 most difficult changes happen simultaneously? Well, after I asked the question to the ladies with whom I was speaking (who of course are both younger than I am), I decided to ask the Lord - and you know what He answered? II Corinthian 12:9-10. Those verses read, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
Wow! What a wonderful answer and a great encouragement - I am so glad I asked. As I was pondering the magnificent answer, I saw the glorious truth in my own life. When we have our kids, we are constantly doing something for them, our time is consumed with our responsibility, and though we pray, we may not realize our weaknesses.
Now that I have become one of "aged women," (not that I am old), God has given me some very important instructions; to teach the younger women, to impart wisdom that I have gleaned through the years and oh how easy it would be to try to go by memory or do it on my own. Listen to what is expected of us now as stated in Titus 2:3-5,"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." What a HUGE responsibility; I dare not attempt it on my own! So, now that I have all these changes and emotional "weakness," I must rely on God's strength - when I know I can't do something I will be dependent.
So ladies, as the seasons of our lives change; God very uniquely has provided a way to ensure that we have His sufficient grace and His perfect strength. God is so good! Thank you Lord for your love and grace, and for giving me your answer that has so blessed my soul. It is my prayer that this will be a blessing to all of you ladies that "know" what it feels like to have an empty nest.
Have a wonderful day today ladies!
What I have wondered about is - why do women have to go through "the change"at the same time as she goes through the emotional changes of having her children leave home? Isn't one of those changes at a time enough? As it is, women have the joy of carrying the babies, delivering the babies (so their bodies go through those changes), why do those 2 most difficult changes happen simultaneously? Well, after I asked the question to the ladies with whom I was speaking (who of course are both younger than I am), I decided to ask the Lord - and you know what He answered? II Corinthian 12:9-10. Those verses read, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
Wow! What a wonderful answer and a great encouragement - I am so glad I asked. As I was pondering the magnificent answer, I saw the glorious truth in my own life. When we have our kids, we are constantly doing something for them, our time is consumed with our responsibility, and though we pray, we may not realize our weaknesses.
Now that I have become one of "aged women," (not that I am old), God has given me some very important instructions; to teach the younger women, to impart wisdom that I have gleaned through the years and oh how easy it would be to try to go by memory or do it on my own. Listen to what is expected of us now as stated in Titus 2:3-5,"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." What a HUGE responsibility; I dare not attempt it on my own! So, now that I have all these changes and emotional "weakness," I must rely on God's strength - when I know I can't do something I will be dependent.
So ladies, as the seasons of our lives change; God very uniquely has provided a way to ensure that we have His sufficient grace and His perfect strength. God is so good! Thank you Lord for your love and grace, and for giving me your answer that has so blessed my soul. It is my prayer that this will be a blessing to all of you ladies that "know" what it feels like to have an empty nest.
Have a wonderful day today ladies!
Well Terrie, I know what my next lesson is going to be on, you really hit the nail on the head for the ladies in our church. You are a wonderful writer and your spirituality just pours out, love Mom
ReplyDeleteYou really did hit the nail on the head!
ReplyDelete