It’s a paradox, like many other truths in the Kingdom, that when you are most needy you are most blessed.  When my heart is hurting, I can receive God’s love and comfort in the most meaningful ways. When I fall short, I fall on Christ’s forgiveness and find a new starting place. When I am most alone, my soul can sense the overwhelming sweetness of the Holy Spirit’s presence. When my spirit is dry and and needy, and aware of all the empty places inside, the Living Water is all I crave. “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

That’s why the apostle Paul could say “… for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) My weakness, my lack, my difficulties– traded for Christ’s strength, Christ’s provision, Christ’s presence and love. Hardly a fair trade, but then, the Cross was always about pure, poured-out grace for those who knew their need.

I’m not at the place yet where I can find delight in my weakness. Maybe just knowing where to turn for help is a good start though. And accepting the way this feels, not trying to ignore it or to fill up with something else to fix it any way I can. Because there is only One who is enough for the poor in spirit.

“All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough.” (Enough, Chris Tomlin)

“We are hard pressed on every side,but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)