This picture is one of my favorite inspirational drawings and sayings. At first glance the crane appears stronger, easily able to consume its prey, while the frog appears weaker. But upon closer examination one realizes the frog has the greater advantage.
We all experience vulnerability and weaknesses, where we feel swallowed up like this frog, but Don’t Ever Give Up! The Apostle Paul wrote, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
A year ago, a dear friend of mine introduced me to a discipleship program she was attending at our church called Regeneration (ReGen). We had met up for coffee and I shared with her how I felt stuck and needed to do something about it. She too, had felt something lacking in her faith journey. That’s when she joined the ReGen program. God used this program to have a profound impact on her life. At her invitation I decided to check out ReGen for myself.
I was bit skeptical, people unashamedly boasted about their weaknesses, who does that? They told their life’s story of what a mess they were and how God was restoring relationships and breaking cycles of addictions. All I wanted to do was to figure out the root cause of why I felt stuck, the thought of sharing my weaknesses was too uncomfortable.
But before I knew it, I boasting of my weaknesses before a community of authentic women who were stuck like me. We’ve laughed and cried together. My ReGen mentor wisely said to me, “Beverly, all our lives we’ve been trained to wear a mask.”, such wisdom was never more true. Metaphorically, my natural tendency was to carry a backpack full of masks to cover up my weaknesses and failures in hopes people would see me as someone who had it all together. But the truth is, I am a beautiful mess.
Every week I’d unload yet another mask from my backpack it got easier and a little lighter to carry. I am nearing the end of the ReGen program. I’ve realized part of the reason I was stuck is because God didn’t want me to carry this heavy a load. That sharing my struggles and weaknesses with trusted confidants is like shining a powerful flashlight on those dark places of my heart, exposing them to the healing grace of God. I discovered I belong and I am loved, just the way I am. And most importantly, God’s grace is sufficient for me, for in my weaknesses Christ is made strong.
On your journey are you stuck, overwhelmed or like the frog in the picture above? Let God Be God – Don’t Ever Give Up!
To Learn More about Regeneration and Find a Group Click this link https://www.regenerationrecovery.org/