Strong Enough

How do you advocate for your child?  All three of our kids have needed us to be advocates for them in ways we didn't think we would need to be.  Each one of them in a different way.  They each have had their own needs, separate and different from the others.  Some more difficult than others.  Some within school, or church or medically. 

Advocating for your child can be emotionally and physically challenging.  It can open you up to things you felt ill-equiped to handle.  Through the experiences within our family, I have felt so ill-equiped.  At times not sure why God had placed us in these situations.  Angry that he allowed it or thought that He must be crazy to think that I could handle it, especially when I seem to be tripping over them all at the same time. 

But somehow, I found hope.  I found strength.  Each step I took, I wasn't alone.  I had my Man next to me each step of the way, but I also had my God next to me each step of the way.  I'm reminded of a quote I heard years ago that has stuck with me. 

"God doesn't give you what He thinks you can handle.  He gives you what you need to handle what you've been given."

What hope!  He will give me what I need to get through the challenges I face.  He wants me to succeed.  He steps in when He needs to.  He gives me strength to face each day, minute, step I take.  He encourages me to keep going.  He makes the way.  He leads me. 

Look at the hope that He gives.

Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you.  Ps 25:5

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.  Ps 31:24

Matthew West has a song Strong Enough.  Each time I hear it it sticks in my head and I find that I sing pieces of it throughout the day.  Look at the lyrics.

I know I'm not strong enough to be everything that I'm supposed to be.
I give up. I'm not stong enough.
Hands of mercy won't you cover me.
Lord right now I'm asking you to be Strong enough.
Strong enough For the both of us

He is strong enough for both of us.  All we need to do is ask. 

Our kids need us to do the same.  To be strong enough for both of us.  The only way I know how to do that is to rely on God to give me what I need to handle what I've been given.  I know that He will be there to carry me through each step of the way.