I love this Scripture. It speaks to me more powerfully than ever in this season of motherhood.
Before I became a mother, there were strengths I felt sure about. I could think ahead, make a plan and find a solution. Somewhere along the way, I began to take pride in being the person who could figure things out and keep everything under control.
Nothing has challenged that confidence quite like motherhood.
I can begin the day with everything planned. I know what needs to be done and when I want to do it. Then the day unfolds differently. A simple task takes much longer than expected. Someone needs me when I thought I would have a quiet moment. By the end of the day, some of my carefully made plans are still waiting.
Motherhood keeps teaching me that life will not always follow the plan I wrote for it.
That can be difficult for someone who finds comfort in being prepared. When things fall apart, I can feel frustrated and unsettled. I am confronted by my limits, and I do not always like what they reveal.
But 2 Corinthians 12:9 has given me courage to keep going. Paul asked God to remove something painful from his life, but God's answer was that His grace was sufficient and His power was made perfect in weakness. God did not shame Paul for being weak. He met him there with grace.
I am learning that weakness is not always something to hide or overcome as quickly as possible. Sometimes it is the place where I finally stop relying on myself and receive the strength of Christ.
This does not mean planning is wrong. It does not mean we should ignore our responsibilities, refuse help or pretend that exhaustion does not matter. It means our limits do not make us failures, and an unfinished plan does not place our lives outside God's care.
When my plans unravel, my weakness reminds me that I was never built to hold my whole life together by myself.
The One who holds my life and my future is strong.
The beauty of the gospel is that I do not have to pretend to be enough. At the cross, Jesus did for me what I could never do for myself. I can bring Him my weakness instead of hiding it. I can ask for strength instead of forcing myself to carry more than I can bear.
We all have limits. We all reach moments when our energy, patience or ability is not enough. In those moments, grace invites us to loosen our grip. We can surrender our plans to God and allow Him to lead us through a day that looks different from the one we imagined.
If your day does not go as planned, pause before you call yourself a failure. Ask what truly needs your attention and what can be released. Remove one non-essential expectation if you need to. Pray, rest or ask for help. Dependence on God may look like trusting Him with what remains unfinished.
Your weakness is not stronger than His grace.
You do not have to hold everything together. Bring Him what feels out of control, and let His strength meet you there.
A quiet prayer
Lord Jesus, I confess that I often try to hold everything together in my own strength. When my plans fall apart, help me not to panic or condemn myself. Teach me to recognise my limits and receive Your grace there. Show me what to do, what to release and when to ask for help. I surrender my plans, my weakness and my future to You. Let Your strength carry me through this day. In Jesus' name, amen.
Hold on to this today
“Your weakness is not stronger than His grace.”
Release one non-essential expectation today, and trust God with what remains unfinished.