“God is able to make ALL grace abound to you, so that having ALL sufficiency in ALL things at ALL times, you may abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 (emphasis mine)

This is my theme verse for the new year and it is posted in my kitchen window as a daily reminder to rely on God’s grace, not on my own strength. I need His strength every minute of every day in order to walk in the Spirit and not in my flesh.

I have three kids (ages 8, 6, and 1) and I homeschool the older two. There are many times a day when I just want some quiet time and my own space. I have many things that I want to accomplish and a list of things I need to get done. But everyday, “It is his strength that gives us what we need in order to nurture life in the face of death and through a million deaths-to-self each day” (The Pastor’s Wife by Gloria Furman, pg. 11). A mother has to die a thousand deaths-to-self everyday as she lays down her preferences, privacy, and possessions for her children.

There are many tasks required of me each day that I do not have the strength to do out of my own abilities, energy, or creativity. I am often stretched to do things out of my comfort zone as I “wear many hats” around the church. The Lord is so gracious to give me help and wisdom like Solomon requested. I pray for wisdom beyond my age and experience. “From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

A mother and a pastor’s wife give of themselves everyday, often from a place of emptiness. But God does not give us hypothetical grace for a hypothetical future, nor for hypothetical situations. He gives us ABUNDANT grace for each moment so that we may ABOUND in every good work. Abundance means that I will not be merely surviving a season, but thriving through every season of life. So I will be fully present in each moment with my children and not see them as interruptions. I will be fully present with the woman after church who wants to have a longer conversation. I will be fully present with the Lord in each moment as He is working out my salvation so that Christ is formed in me (Phil. 2:12; Gal. 4:19)!

If you do not have a theme verse to memorize and meditate on this year, feel free to steal this one and put it in your kitchen window! I pray that God’s grace may abound in your life this year so that you are equipped for every good work!