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When grace doesn’t seem like enough

“The fact of suffering undoubtedly constitutes the single greatest challenge to the Christian faith, and has been in every generation.”
~ JOHN STOTT, The Cross of Christ

I met Glorhy in El Salvador this summer, a gift, a radiant teenager who spoke a little English. We connected. I can’t explain exactly why or how.

We became friends. Even on Facebook. (I asked her, “Cómo se dice “facebook” en español? How do you say “facebook” in Spanish? Her reply, “Facebook.” Go figure.)

glorhyBut there’s more I can’t explain.

Glorhy is sick. It’s cancer. And because superior healthcare isn’t exactly convenient or cheap for her in El Salvador, Glorhy isn’t getting better.

I cry out to God, “Help her, Father. Please?”

I tell Glorhy that it will be okay. I send messages that say things like, “God is strong” and “God will give you courage.”

But I feel like the man sending away the needy with “Go in peace, be warm and filled” (James 2:15-16).

Because I want to promise, “God will heal your body.”
But I can’t say that. At least not in this realm.

To console me in my helplessness, I remind myself of what I know.
• I know our afflictions here are light and momentary compared to eternity (2 Corinthians 4:17).
• I know the needy we will always have with us (Matthew 26:11).  
• I know Jesus didn’t heal everybody in the flesh even when he was here.

But he did heal this one (Luke 4:39) and that one (Matthew 8:3) and this one (Mark 2:11-12).

So why not this one, Lord?
I can’t explain it.

If there’s one thing that gets us, believers and non-believers alike, it’s unexplained suffering.

Who hasn’t asked, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

I don’t doubt that God is powerful enough to prevent bad things from happening.
I don’t doubt that God is loving enough to want the best for us.

But what I can’t know is how God will choose to use his power to do ultimate good.

And while I also know his grace is enough for me,
what about Glorhy?

Is it enough for her?
She lacks financial resources I have; she lacks spiritual support I have; she lacks a million other things I have.

Her needs appear to outstrip her supplies.

But she doesn’t lack grace.
She doesn’t lack grace.
She doesn’t lack grace.
I must remember.

And I must pray.
• I pray for a healthy soul enclosed in a sick body.
• I pray for the Spirit to engulf her spirit.
• I pray lavish grace floods out her fears.

If his grace is enough for me—for you—I must trust:
it’s enough for her too.

* * *

Glorhy has asked me to ask the church to pray for her.

Will you word a request to the Father today on Glorhy’s behalf?
Thank you, church.
Thank you, Lord.


This ends my reading of The Cross of Christ with Challies.
All chapter summaries

Comments (24)

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So heartbreaking. Just took a moment to pray. Trusting His grace will be sufficient for every need.
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1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
Thank you for praying, Barbara. I *know* the Lord will be faithful to her--however He chooses to work, but my heart can't seem to quite get there yet.
My recent post When grace doesn’t seem like enough
I'm praying for her... This is something we must all wrestle with... But we also know that there is no perfection within us until we are reunited with God and His Son Jesus Christ. It's a hard road to get there. I think our senses of this flesh betray us. Since it's all we know, we put far to much emphasis on it. Me more than most. Thanks for sharing the difficult things in life along with the beautiful...
My recent post SEARCHING FOR SIGNIFICANCE
1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
You're a good man, Floyd. This has been one of those difficult things for me because I feel guilty that I can't do more for Glorhy. Trying to leave it with the Lord, but I need my faith to grow bigger. Thanks for praying.
My recent post When grace doesn’t seem like enough
Wow Lisa... this is so hard to read and come to terms with. I will definitely stop now and pray for Glorhy and wrestle through my own lack of faith when it comes to these kinds of situations. Thankfully God is completely faithful and full of grace, as you've said... enough for her, enough for all of us. Praying for you too... I know this is hard on you.
1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
Thanks, Kay, for praying for me too because I can't quite get my mind wrapped around my own role in this. What exactly should *I* be doing? What *can* I do?....

But yes, God is "completely faithful"--that's a great way to put it. And a great thought for me to meditate on.
My recent post When grace doesn’t seem like enough
I will be praying peaceful sleep, feeling God wrap around her, for loving hands to minister to her. When I read stories like yours - where challenges hurt, I always send people to the video on my blog from someone who answered hisown question and left it for people who loved him when they had to face those questions: "We have two ways to go with this: God's way or without God." That simple - Faith in God despite the challenges. Faith above the challenges. God's way (http://bluecottonmemory.wordpress.com/2010/11/24/pass-it-forward/)

I have some encouragement for you over at my blog - insignificant in comparison to your powerful message - but I wanted to share encouragement passed to me with new and old friends in the blogahood.
2 replies · active 712 weeks ago
Maryleigh,
What beautiful things to be praying for. I love how the body of Christ can cover so many different needs.

Thanks for the encouragement at your blog. No encouragement is insignificant!

Heading over to check out your video now...
My recent post When grace doesn’t seem like enough
Just watched the video. What a beautiful testimony of a life lived for God. Jonate said several things that stuck out to me but the one that I'm hearing the loudest is "God is near." It's also something I can share with Glorhy today.

May the Lord continue to bless you as you bless others. I am sorry for the loss of your son. You are courageous to continue passing it forward.
My recent post When grace doesn’t seem like enough
This post makes me so grateful for amazing Grace. How else would we face the pain of this life? Thank you, Lisa, for sharing Glorhy's story!

Lord, today I ask that you would surround Glorhy with the peace of your presence. May she rest in your sweet grace. We know you have plans we don't always understand- her healing is in your hands alone. May that be her comfort. We pray that in Gloryh's life that you would be glorified. Thank you, Lord!
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1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
A beautiful prayer for Glorhy, Jennifer. I think we can take that and pray it for ourselves as well. That's what I just did anyway. Blessings to you.
My recent post When grace doesn’t seem like enough
I can feel the helplessness in the flesh when we have no tangible answers or "fix". But, I share even more in your spirit of trusting His grace is truly enough.

Connected my heart to yours today Lisa. Thank You. Your words encourage.
My recent post {Dwell} :: To Count of Esteem
2 replies · active 712 weeks ago
That helpless feeling is one I don't like at all, but I know that it is helpful to push me more towards dependence on God. Thank you, friend, for always being so encouraging.
My recent post “Without You”
You're welcome, Lisa. And You are the same for me. God just knows what/who we need.
Oh Lisa, this just breaks my heart. Saying a prayer and asking the Father, the Great Physician to come and flood her body with His healing power. Trusting with you!
1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
I appreciate you praying, Barbie. I plan on copying all these sweet prayers and sending them to Glorhy to encourage her.
My recent post “Without You”
Praying for Glorhy right now!
My recent post Nononono 2011, so far
1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
Thanks, Nancy.
My recent post “Without You”
Praying for her now, agreeing with your prayers. I felt bad for being so slow getting to read this, but maybe that was God's intention. May God accomplish much through your fervent prayers and your readers', to the glory of His name and the encouragement of His daughter.
My recent post By His Wounds...
1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
You're not slow reading this, Christina. I agree with you that God brings things to us intentionally in his timing. Glorhy will need prayers for quite awhile.... Thank you for yours.
My recent post “Without You”
Praying for Glorhy, Lisa. You are playing an important part in this. You are gathering up people to offer prayers. She is better for having your love and friendship.
My recent post This is My Father's World
1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
Now you're making me cry, Brenda. ;-) But it's good. I keep thinking I need to do more, but perhaps this "gathering up people" to pray is the very thing I'm supposed to be doing...
My recent post “Without You”
Certainly praying!
My recent post Coming from a place of yes
Wow. Thank you, Lisa. What quote to start this post with. Yes, suffering is a struggle, and I can relate to the feelings and thoughts shared here (though in different situations, of course). Faith is so intertwined with trust. And, yes, we must trust and know that God's grace is enough for all of us. Clinging to that! And praying for Glorhy.
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