Still Walking with a Limp

Know anybody perfect?
Anybody without flaws, imperfections, weaknesses?
Nah, me neither.
I think we all have them, don't we?

Things we struggle with, our private battles, our nemeses and giants.
My giant is no secret - I have battled depression for the past 10 years, and continue to live in its shadow.

If you watch me walk through life for long enough, you will notice that I have this "limp".
It aint pretty. But a while back I decided there was no point hiding it.
Better to say, Yes I limp. Yes I struggle.
You'll figure it out eventually anyway.
And its nothing to be ashamed of.

Just as the grit inside an oyster shell irritates it, this weakness irritates me.
But like the oyster, an irritation can actually become something beautiful if I let it.
Turn my pain into a pearl. Turn this weakness into a strength. Turn my struggle into a story of hope.

Here's one of my favourite verses:

"My grace is sufficient for you; my strength is made perfect in weakness..."
2 Corinthians 12:9

Or, as another version puts it: "My power shows up best in weak people."

It's this "thorn in my side" that has taught me empathy.
It gives me a point of identification with others: If she can (and she struggles) maybe I can too...?

God doesn't use me in spite of my weakness. He uses me because of my weakness.
Did you think He is could only use the strong, the self-satisfied, the ones who are all-together?
No. The opposite is true. The following verse has been the theme of my life...

"Think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are..."
1 Corinthians 1:26-28

Because I am weak I know I can't do my life on my own. I know I need help.

Today I wanted to share something to encourage anyone who is struggling or feeling like they are useless, hopeless, unworthy.
I was reminded of this post I wrote two years ago, Walking with a Limp.
As true as the post was then, it is even more true now.

I have continued to walk with a limp.
But in spite of that God has been gracious; he has taken my weakness, my "limp", and given me something to share with you all. A way to encourage those on the same journey. He has brought many women across my path who I have been able to encourage and connect with.

Not because I am strong, but because I share their weakness.
My struggles are not a disqualification; they are bridge to connect me to others.
In the midst of my struggles I can still have a voice.
Even though I am a work in progress, I still have something to offer.
God doesn't wait til I am "all better" - he will take what I can offer him now, here, as I am.
In my weakness he gives me a voice to speak.

How did Jesus feed the 5000? With a little boy's lunch.
He takes what little we have and can turn it into something powerful... if we offer it up to Him.

Have a blessed Sunday
♥