Soaking Grace
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In the last 10-12 years I have faced so many things that I couldn't have endured without His "sufficient grace." In times of feeling overwhelmed - in times of weakness - in times of needing wisdom - in times of feeling alone - in times of financial need - in times of feeling under attack - time and time and time again I have called on God's grace that is sufficient for every need.
I have often felt I couldn't go another minute (much less an hour or a day) without additional grace. In times like this I find a quiet place to be alone with the Lord. I talk to Him and sit in His presence until I feel strengthened and ready to face whatever it is that is so difficult. I wait for what I call His "soaking grace." I can almost feel it wash over me as I sit with Him. I feel saturated afresh as I receive fresh, additional grace.
During the 6 weeks Floyd was in ICU, there was a small chapel down the hall. I would sometimes go sit there and talk to the Lord. In the following years, he was always in a private room. I would sit by his bed and pray - talking to the Lord and asking for fresh grace for both Floyd and me. During the times when I've been in the hospital, I would pray quietly in bed. At home, I have a spot where I like to sit and pray - or if the weather is good I sometimes sit outside and enjoy the beauty of His creation while I call out for fresh grace.
In whatever place, at whatever time of day, with whatever need I'm facing - God has been abundantly faithful to "soak" me with His sufficient grace. I couldn't have made it otherwise. And the well of His grace never runs dry. It's continually filled to the brim to flow over us!
"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:25,26
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103:13-14
"How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 36:7
As a child I would sometimes play with the kids in the neighborhood in the rain. We would get drenched, soaking wet! It's a visual I sometimes call to mind when I'm asking God for His "soaking grace" to wash over me. He's always so faithful!