Little Frustrations

2 Corinthians 12:9a,10 – But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NIV)

Making mistakes has always been part of my life. No matter how hard I try to be perfect, some type of little "blunder" is going to surface. I struggle over a manuscript trying to correct the errors. Just when the finished product is released to the printer, there's a question mark where a period should be.

One Christmas, I was bubbling over with goodwill toward all my friends. Filled with creativity, I designed and handwrote all my Christmas cards. I forgot one little detail: to put stamps on the envelopes. The list goes on — just little things — but enough to keep me frustrated and on my knees in prayer.

A friend, one day, in an effort to cheer me up, said, "God uses these little mistakes to keep you humble. He can use you in your humbleness because you are open to Him, and His power can flow through."

Whether my friend was right, I don't know. Her remark has remained in my memory. God can work through our weaknesses.

It is not so much what we do, but how open we are to God for His use.

Prayer: Our Father, use us as You have need, to reach out to others and to bring about Your purposes in Your world. Keep our hearts open and attuned to Your leading. Amen.