This past week has been full of happiness, surprises, and gratitude.
On Monday, the results of my blood test were different from what I expected, so I will be taking additional medication.
On Tuesday, I took a picture of my daughter on her very last first day of high school. In the evening, my husband, my daughter, and I went for a walk and laughed together while grocery shopping.
On Wednesday, my husband sang the old Korean song “On a Rainy Wednesday, Red Roses.” Since it was raining, he brought home roses and gave one to me and one to our daughter. It was such a sweet surprise.
On Friday, my husband and I went for a walk, but soon after, my husband began having stomach pain. Medicine didn’t help, and after an hour in the bathroom, we had to go to the ER. The doctors suspected appendicitis. Since no surgeon was available and it didn’t look too severe, he was given antibiotics and will see a specialist next week to decide if surgery is needed.
That evening, when we came back home, the three of us sat down for dinner together. I felt so grateful for that simple moment around the table.
I am also deeply grateful for everyone who prayed with me during these difficult moments.
Tomorrow, each of us will worship in our own place, and that too is something I give thanks for.
이번 한 주는 행복과 기쁨, 놀라움, 그리고 감사로 가득했다.
월요일에는 정기 피검사가 있었다. 혈액 수치가 기대와는 다른 결과가 나와서 약을 더 복용하게 되었다.
화요일에는 딸의 고등학교 마지막 첫 등교날이라 사진을 찍었다. 저녁에는 남편, 딸과 함께 산책을 하고 장보고 걸어 오면서웃었다.
수요일에는 남편이 ‘비 오는 수요일에는 빨간 장미를’ 부르며 비 온다고 장미꽃을 사와서 나와 딸에게 한 송이씩 안겨주었다. 참 달콤한 깜짝 선물이었다.
금요일에는 남편과 둘이 오랜만에 산책을 갔는데 남편이 갑자기 배가 아프다고 했다. 집에 와서 약을 먹어도 나아지지 않아 한 시간 동안 화장실에 쭈그리고 앉아 있다가 결국 응급실로. 혈액 검사와 ct 촬영 검사 결과 충수염(맹장염)이 의심된다고 했다. 다만 수술할 의사가 당장 없고 심하지도 않아 보여서 항생제를 맞고, 다음 주에 전문의를 만나 수술 날짜를 결정하라고 했다. 진통제와 항생제를 맞고 저녁 집에 돌아와 셋이 함께 식탁에 앉았다. 그 순간이 감사하고 감격스러웠다.
힘들고 당황스럽던 순간, 생각나는 분들에게 기도요청을 했다. 함께 기도해준 분들께 감사하다.
내일(일요일), 우리는 각자의 자리에서 예배를 드릴것이다. 그렇게 할 수 있는 것이 감사하다.
1It is necessary to brag, not that it does any good. I’ll move on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don’t know whether it was in the body or out of the body. God knows. 3-4I know that this man was caught up into paradise and that he heard unspeakable words that were things no one is allowed to repeat. I don’t know whether it was in the body or apart from the body. God knows. 5I’ll brag about this man, but I won’t brag about myself, except to brag about my weaknesses.
6If I did want to brag, I wouldn’t make a fool of myself because I’d tell the truth. I’m holding back from bragging so that no one will give me any more credit than what anyone sees or hears about me. 7I was given a thorn in my body because of the outstanding revelations I’ve received so that I wouldn’t be conceited. It’s a messenger from Satan sent to torment me so that I wouldn’t be conceited.
8I pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me alone. 9He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness.” So I’ll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power can rest on me. 10Therefore, I’m all right with weaknesses, insults, disasters, harassments, and stressful situations for the sake of Christ, because when I’m weak, then I’m strong.
Have you ever thanked God for your weaknesses? That may sound unusual. Our world values strength and independence. But the Bible teaches us something different: God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.
The Apostle Paul was a strong leader. He founded many churches and wrote a significant portion of the New Testament. Yet Paul also had a weakness. He called it a “thorn in the flesh.” He asked God three times to take it away. But God answered: “My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul learned that when he was weak, God’s power was strong in him.
I have also learned this truth. When I was young, my mother told me that she had promised God I would serve as a pastor. Later in life, I faced many struggles—being a woman in ministry, speaking another language, and even fighting serious illness.
Recently, I was commissioned as a pastor. Soon after, I found out I had tongue cancer. The night before my surgery, I cried out to God: “Lord, is this the end of my calling?”
But the next morning, I woke up with a hymn in my heart: "Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee, how great thou art!"
Today, I preach with a voice marked by surgery, but filled with God’s grace. My weakness became the place where God showed His strength.
How about you? My dear friends, I know you also understand weakness:
Bodies that don’t move like before
Memories that fade
The loss of independence
Hands that shake, feet that stumble
Voices are not as strong as they used to be
But remember this: these are not reasons to stop serving God.
There are ways for God to show His power in you.
In your wheelchair, God is your strength.
In your forgetfulness, God is your peace.
In your loneliness, God is your companion.
In your fear, God is your courage.
In your pain, God is your comfort.
When you smile at me, you shine God’s light.
When you smile at a neighbor, you shine God’s light. When you encourage someone, you share God’s love. When you pray for others, even when you hurt, you show God’s power.
Paul discovered that weakness is not the end. Weakness is the beginning of God’s power.
Your struggles have not removed you from God’s plan. They have prepared you to show His grace, especially.
So today, I invite you: Do not hide your weakness. Offer it to God. It is the very place where He will meet you.
When others see you trust God, they see a miracle. When they see your peace in pain, they see God’s Spirit. When they see your joy in hardship, they see the power of the Gospel.
My friends, when you are weak, then you are strong. God’s grace is enough for you—today, tomorrow, and always.
"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." – 2 Corinthians 12:9
A Prayer for Today
"Loving God, thank You for the gift of weakness. In our weakness, let us feel Your strength. In our struggles, let us know Your grace. When we share our weakness, may Your power be revealed among us. For when we are weak, then we are strong. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen."