God’s Grace Is Always Enough

The Christian fellowship is unique in the way our kinship always transcends any background. I still remember a sweet experience in a Delta Bible study that I was blessed to attend. Without prior meeting, we were instantly in one accord as we opened God’s Word together. Our teacher, in a gentle voice, began describing God’s grace as the New Testament Paul had experienced it. Then she shared her own experience. Her heart condition had worsened and according to her doctor the prognosis was far from encouraging. With an abbreviated life span, God’s grace allowed her to experience each day as a wonderful gift – relishing friendships, sunsets, notes from friends, and opportunities to share God’s love. Instead of a sad or bitter countenance, her face radiated a serenity that could only be explained by grace.

Another member spoke up and with a broken voice confirmed the same sufficient grace. She had lost a child – a son – and the slightest sound, memory or image could bring back the sorrow in torrents, but God’s grace sustained her tear after tear. In the previous week, she described the chaos of her kitchen remodeling and how she was able to comfort and encourage a carpenter who had experienced the same heart-rending loss of a child. “I realized that through my pain God was able to use me to minister to others,” she said with tear-filled eyes.

One by one others shared – from unspoken prayer requests to heartaches and trouble. There was the prodigal son running from God, a broken bone that refused to heal, and a rebellious teenager deserting God’s standards. The air conditioner hummed as it worked to cool the delta air while over the hum women joined their hearts and petitions as they thanked God for His sufficient grace.

As we bowed for closing prayer I hesitated, wanting to linger a while longer. I was in the company of those being refined by fire. As the heat of the world’s sorrows and tribulations had been turned up, these women were not only enduring but bringing glory to the Father in the process. And God’s gold and silver are beautiful to behold.

“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.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Holy Father, Life is hard and the tribulations are many. Thank you for your amazing grace and your steadfast love. Amen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

• Camille Anding is a child of God since age 12.
• Wife of 53 years to Othel; mother to Tahya and Eli;l grandmother to seven grandchildren and two great-grands.
• Retired from photography business with Othel. Now carry cameras on their travel adventures.
• Freelance writer, regular contributor to Hometown magazines, and dedicated to living “my utmost for His highest.”