More Than Enough!

I had an interesting experience the other day when Fiver and I were out and about on our morning walk along the city golf course next to our neighborhood.  It was quiet and cold with a noticeable absence of golfers on the green.  When we were about half way back to the house, I suddenly sensed some movement behind us and turned unexpectantly to see that a rather tall, white Huskie had seemingly come out of nowhere and was standing right behind us!  Then when I looked past him, I observed another, slightly smaller, tri-color huskie standing about ten feet behind the white one.

As I quickly assessed the situation, I thought about the can of Postal worker approved pepper spray that I always carry with me on our walks for situations like this, but I felt a particular calm that was supported by Fiver’s peaceful demeanor.  So, I tightened up my grip on Fiver’s leash and softly talked to the two dogs (like they were gonna have a conversation with me… right!)

Both of the good looking and well-cared for dogs, who obviously had gotten out of their yard, looked to be pretty young and even though the white one was taller than Fiver, I think Fiver had a few pounds on him.  The tri-color kept his distance from us but the white one kept dancing around Fiver and finally came up nose to nose with him.  But by that time, I think Fiver had had enough of the song and dance, sniffed the other dog, growled softly and then took a (non-contact) nip at him.  I am not sure if Fiver was just protecting me or trying to show some dominance, but either way, it worked as both of the Husky’s turned and high-tailed it off into the distance and out of sight!

They turned and ran away about as quickly and silently as they had come up on us!  I think that even Fiver was surprised with their quick departure.  So, as we turned and continued back home, I began to pray, thanking the Lord that everything worked out okay and at the same time… kinda shook my head and wondered “What was that all about?”

Awhile later, after we returned home and I sat down at the table to eat my breakfast, I suddenly heard that all familiar small-still-voice on the inside of me* saying, “You know Jim, you pray for angelic protection over you and the dog every time you go for a walk** and that is exactly what you experienced this morning… you got EXACTLY what you ask for every single day!  Well, that comment made me feel more than just a little silly, but yet it humbled me at the same time.

The next morning, as I sat down to study my Bible, I felt led to turn to 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 where the Apostle Paul is talking about the constant barrage of verbal and physical persecutions that seemed to follow him everywhere he went.  He explained to his audience that he prayed (some versions say that he “begged”) to the Lord three times to take away the problem and the Lord answered him saying that,

“’My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.’ (and Paul went on to teach saying) So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me. So I’m not defeated by my weakness, but delighted! For when I feel my weakness and endure mistreatment—when I’m surrounded with troubles on every side and face persecution because of my love for Christ—I am made yet stronger. For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power.”   (TPT)

I got the feeling as I read these verses that the Lord was telling Paul to EXPECT, LOOK FOR and then FOCUS ON the wonder-working, circumstances-changing, power of His GRACE, whenever he (Paul) felt like he was less than equipped with his own means and resources for any situation that he faced in his daily life.

In contrast to when I was actively caring for Piper 24/7 during the last eight years of her physical presence on this earth, I can’t honestly say that I was EXPECTING, LOOKING FOR or FOCUSING ON the power of God’s GRACE when I turned and found myself staring down the eyes of those two loose dogs the other morning.  But I would say that when I think back, the sense of His GRACE was definitely guiding the event as there was no fear and except for Fiver’s warning growl, no agitation either!

On the other hand, once we received the first official diagnosis from Piper’s original brain scans (three different kinds), we immediately knew that we had to put her health into the hands of the Lord as there was NO medical cure for the disease.  From that point on, we most definitely EXPECTED, LOOKED FOR and FOCUSED on His GRACE for every phase of her declining health, as well as for all our physical needs (ie; income, housing, medicines, insurance premiums, etc)

We learned that what you EXPECT, LOOK FOR and FOCUS ON is EXACTLY what you’ll SEE and EXPERIENCE in the situations of your life!  We also quickly realized that the enemy of our faith will use whatever and whoever he can to try and get you to break your FOCUS off from God and the truth of His Word.  And when that occurs, it becomes very easy to let go of your faith and zero-in on all the problems that are happing because of the physical situation you find yourself in.  Once you begin to FOCUS in on the problem… you will lose sight of and connection to God’s answers!

And that my friend… is NOT the place that you would ever want to find yourself in!  We discovered that we had absolutely nothing in our own strength and abilities, nor in the strength and abilities of medical science, from which to gain a place of strength in Piper’s time of need.  God’s GRACE had to be “more than enough for us…” and it was!

How about you?  Where do you find your source of strength and your supply of “more than enough?”  Whether I am out walking the dog or facing the most difficult event in my entire life… God’s GRACE has been and will continue to be “more than enough for me!”

Can you say Amen to that in your life as well?

Have a great weekend!  We went from an overcast sky with snow flurries and the high temperature of the day barely making 30 degrees yesterday, to sunny skies with a projected high of 46+ today!  You’d think it was like the beginning of summer!  What a different the sun (and the absence of strong winds from the north) can make.  I pray that your weekend is as enjoyable as the beginning of summer is to most of us!  And while you’re out there enjoying the day… keep EXPECTING God’s BEST in and though your life!

 

*See: 1 Kings 19:12

**See: Hebrews 1:13-14