Perfectly Weak

2 Corinthians 12:9

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.

When I turned 30 I never imagined that our lives would turn out this way. Not in my wildest dreams.

When I turned 30 I never imagined that our adoption journey would include older child, out of order, special needs, RAD, FASD, and disruption.

When I turned 30 I never knew that life could hurt so much or be so rewarding.

And I never knew that four years later we would welcome two more big kiddos home with incredible joy and complete dependence on God, finding all sufficiency in Him.

This past Monday I celebrated my birthday with hushed whispers and secret plans made the night before by teenagers who love their sleep and little ones who can't keep a secret. I was made to promise that I would sleep in but heard them awake by 6 a.m. My first surprise of the day was a delicious breakfast in bed of scrambled eggs with diced tomatoes, toast, and iced coffee with enough whipped cream for all eight of us! More surprises of chocolate and a reflective running vest came after supper. It was a beautiful day with so many surprises of sweetness. And as I reflected back on the journey that brought us here, to where we are today, there were so many reminders of my weaknesses, weaknesses that I live with daily. In this weakness there is grace and power. Feeling perfectly weak is a great way to celebrate a birthday, knowing that God's grace is sufficient for me in all of my weakness.

Hugo was the head chef with lots of helpers in the kitchen.

Photo curtesy of Noah.

I had just gone running, but had to remove the reflective vest for the photo because it was too bright with the flash! What a great bunch of sweeties to help me celebrate my birthday!