09/24/2021
Cherryl Mixon Cruce September 24, 2011
sometimes somethings are really hard/Where would I be without the His Grace.
I shared the above post 10 years ago on facebook
Wherever I was in 2011, the moment passed and 10 years later His grace still carries me. There have been new grandchildren added to the family as well as new spouses. I have seen my children mature and become productive, kind people. I have witnessed their love for their children. I have seen their incredible strength. I have married my love and moved to paradise. In May 2022 I will receive my Master of Divinity. I have stepped into the ministry God has called me to. I now pastor two churches plus an online ministry. Life is an incredible journey of ups and downs.
I cannot tell you the road has been easy. There has been laughter and there have been tears. There have been times over the past ten years when I have felt on top of the world and there have been times when I have felt crushed by the world. And yet, Here I am! I have persevered! I preserve not in my strength, but in His strength. Wherever I was that was hard, His grace was enough, I held on, He carried me, and He has healed me. Is my life perfect, of course not? Life is life. Right now, it is as close to perfect as it can be on this side of eternity. Nevertheless, I am sure life will be hard again because life is just that way. However, I am convinced His grace remains sufficient. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I wish I could tell you we live in a Utopian society full of daisies, peace symbols, and love, but I cannot. I can tell you we live in a world of hurdles and hurts. There is brokenness and healing. There is malice and goodwill. There is sickness and healing, hurt and forgiveness. And there is God, always God. He has promised to never leave nor forsake His children. When Elijah had given up all hope and laid beneath the tree in the wilderness God sent angels to care for him (1 Kings 19). Elijah, the great prophet had given up on life. Yet when he awakened, it was to the sweet smell of cake cooking on the coals beside him. God showed Elijah that his life had purpose and he still had a work to do.
Today allow God to minister to you. Find your healing in His grace. There is tomorrow, find your purpose for tomorrow in Him. In the stillness of the moment allow God to strengthen you. Allow His peace to reign with you. This too shall pass. And who knows what surprises He has in store for you. His grace is sufficient. Do not fear for you are precious to your Father in Heaven.
Daniel 10:19
"Do not be afraid, you who are highly precious," he said. "Peace be with you! Be strong now; be very strong!" As he spoke with me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me."
