“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, 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 12:8-10, NIV).
Never in a million years did I imagine raising my son as a single mother. The thought of him not having his dad around really hurt me. I felt as if I had failed him as a parent.
What went so wrong? What had I done? Was the joke on me?
These questions would haunt me day and night. My boiling blood would rush through my veins. I would feel my body getting warmer as if it was catching on fire. My limbs shook from all the anxiety. I felt my heart shattering into pieces, not only for myself but for my son.
Frankly, there have been many moments of doubt, exhaustion, and sadness. I’ve felt completely overwhelmed by the responsibilities on me. It’s easy to tell someone, “Keep your chin up and keep going,” or, our favorite, “Everything happens for a reason.” But the more I replayed these well-intended, “comfort” words, the more I felt empty and alone. It felt like I was a burden to others if I was grieving.
I needed comfort in knowing it was okay to feel heavy and confusing emotions. I wanted my feelings of betrayal, abandonment, and anger to be justified. I needed to lament without drowning in my shame.
It was during this time that I found myself reflecting on 2 Corinthians 12:8-10. Specifically, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Embracing my vulnerabilities has allowed me to grow, ultimately transforming my challenges into powerful testimonies of God’s grace.
I’ve realized, through this hardship, that my relationship with my son has flourished. My son is 16 and it’s a big deal if your teenager enjoys spending time with you. He is not perfect by any means. But God used this difficult road to help us build a genuine connection. He has become an empathetic young man, always ready to help those in need. His ability to face challenges with courage and grace reflects the values we’ve nurtured together. Watching him grow into a confident and kind individual has been amazing to witness.
Looking at my life’s journey, I can see how God has used my broken heart to show me his love, not only for me or my son, but for humanity. He too was betrayed, abandoned, and eventually killed. And he went through it for me and you, so that we may be reunited with our Father, our Savior.
What a privilege it is to be part of God’s love story.
Rosie Phillips is a proud mother and enjoys journaling and working out.