When Our Strength Has Failed

I’ve wanted so much to resume regular updates here; there simply hasn’t been time. We’ve had many pressures, we get tired, we’ve been going and going. Joshua, in particular, is the man of the hour, needed by so many at once. There has been an intermingling of struggle and joy as we have pressed through our weariness to each successive task or event.

But among other things this week, I have been reading poetry. This beautiful excerpt reflects my experience – that God is able to supply everything when I’m running on nothing.

“He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed
ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.”

The pictures that follow reflect “our Father’s full giving”! I sure didn’t have the strength on my own.

Our week held a lot of social activity – hospitality, packing a family of 8, travel, singing in public, and socializing. The main event was a trip to Poland, visiting ladies from our L’viv church who have evacuated there. They organized two mini concerts – with us as the entertainment! – to encourage other Ukrainian refugees and share the gospel with them.

Prior to the Poland trip, a friendly Ukrainian family met us for pizza and came to our home for coffee afterwards. They are currently staying in a refugee camp, trying to figure out what their next options are. Their attitudes are remarkably positive, despite all they are going through!

We got home from Poland and had an unexpected visit from our best friend and “nanny”, Bohdana! For the last 10 years she has helped in our home several times a week, but we hadn’t seen her since leaving for Slovakia. It was pure delight to have her with us for a few days.

In the middle of a challenging season, God has repeatedly surrounded me with beautiful things that have ministered peace and comfort. Here are a few of them.

Finally, some lovely pictures of Spring from Zhilina, Slovakia:

“Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limit, His grace has no measure;
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.”

-He Giveth More Grace, by Annie Johnson Flint