Recently, a minister of our church made an announcement from the pulpit.  The women’s care team needed volunteers who were willing to walk one on one with a church member experiencing a hard thing.  “Maybe you have gone through something that would make you a good support for someone in a similar circumstance,” the appeal continued.  That was all it took for my wheels to turn regarding the hand I’ve been dealt.  Some say I’ve seen more than my fair share of heartache.  But what’s fair when it comes to heartache? (That sounds like good lyrics for a country song.)   Regardless, I knew that I wanted to help – strengths, weaknesses, warts and all.

After lunch, I fired off an email to the women’s care ministry lead.

Hi,

I wanted to reach out and offer to help other women in some areas I’ve lived/ are living.

I have a step-child (blended family dynamics).  My oldest biological child has severe medical and developmental needs.  I survived breast cancer and supported a spouse through his own cancer journey.  My family tree branches into mental illness and [several horrific things related to this that are not my story to tell].  My husband has dealt with multiple layoffs and job insecurity, and I’ve battled a subclinical eating disorder.  I’ve had chronic pain for years, experienced depression and I’m parenting a teen girl.  Some people need counseling for that last one alone.  

What the Letter Revealed

After I typed all this out (with more detail than I am at liberty to share publicly) I stopped and took a long look at this list.  Whew.  I later told the ministry leader that I didn’t know if she would think I could be a help or just needed help myself.  The answer to both is “yes”.  Spoiler alert.  She welcomed me into this amazing group of volunteers.

Here’s what she knew, and I do too:  We all have done bad things, experienced bad things and had bad things done to us.  But

 ^“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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Just as God told Paul, He tells us:  There is no temptation we face, nothing we have done, nothing we have endured, no weakness we have that excludes us from God’s service.  Those things showcase His power and glory all the more.  For this I’m so grateful.

Thank you, Lord, for using me.  Warts and all!

Now for this week’s featured post from the link up.

I have been doing battle with some “shoulds” in my life and found  good word over at carryonmyheart.com.  Take a look at Breaking Free from Anxiety by Walking Away from Shoulds.

The Link Up

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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