On How God Gives Us More Than We Can Handle

The first time someone said this to me, and it's happened MULTIPLE times over the years, I thought, "I canNOT believe what I'm hearing."

We were at a thing with some people (vague much?), and this girl that I HAD JUST MET, started gushing over Baby Joshua: "he's sooo cute...he's sooo sweet" and all of that. I thought she was being a faker-von-fakerson, but hey...those brown, almond-shaped eyes, and that infectious grin, have sucked me in on more than one occasion.

And then she said...she goes...she goes..."I always thought that if my baby had to have something wrong with it, I'd pick Downs.

And then I punched her.

And then the conversation was over.

Have a good day...thank you for reading.

KIDDING.

What I WANTED to say, was...first of all, chick-that-I-just-met...there is nothing "wrong" with my child.
Second of all, you don't get to pick. And 3rd of all, shut your cake hole, because you don't have a clue what you're talking about.

But that's not nice, is it?

(Answer: no, no it is not)

I will have to say that some of this happened before I had grown into my whole "most people mean well" philosophy...when all I could think of was, "what are you saying...please stop talking...and, I want to punch you"

(Yes...again with the punching)

Over the years, I've been told one thing more than any other...I bet you've heard it, too: "God won't give you more than you can handle." And to that I say, "Ummm...yeah, He will."

Because, here's the thing: if you could handle it, you wouldn't need Jesus. Right?

You remember Job? All that he went through in his life...the unimaginable loss and suffering...and yet he would say, "God might kill me, but I have no other hope." (Job 13:15) He knew that, even if he had everything...He would be utterly lost if he didn't have God.

If we could handle everything on our own...death, sickness, loss, abandonment, abuse...how would we ever recognize our need for a Savior?

Paul told of his hardships in his life: beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, long journeys; danger from rivers, robbers, from his own people, from others; faced danger in cities, deserts, and on the seas; he worked long and hard, had many sleepless nights; he was hungry, thirsty and cold; many times, he didn't have enough clothing; and he had a great burden for all of the churches.

What God said: "My grace is all you need. My power works better in weakness."

What Paul said: "When I am weak, then I am strong."

I don't know anyone who has been through horrible things like Job or Paul. I'm using them for perspective...and as examples of 2 people who persevered under great trials.

We all have struggles and challenges...that's a fact of life.

What we need: more of Him...less of WE.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30