The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 12:8-9, “Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times

that it might depart from me. 9 And He has said to me, ‘My grace is

sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly,

therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of

Christ may dwell in me.”

In our previous Grands Letter, we noted Paul’s thorn in the flesh.

In the two verses above, he voices the astounding miracle again.

The LORD did not answer Paul’s prayer as he had prayed it. Instead,

He said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in

weakness.”

I saw this play out last night in Rose Marie’s hospital room. It was

time for staff change, and the nurse who had been attending her

was going off duty for the night. She came in to say “goodnight.”

Rose Marie (Nana) engaged her in spiritual conversation, asking

outright if she knew the LORD. The nurse was pleasant, and noted

that she had visited several churches over the years and named

two that were to her liking and said why. That’s when Nana said

“It’s not the church –the denomination—that’s important; it’s

Jesus!” Then, in her characteristic way –and with impeded breath—

she quoted Scripture after Scripture, not stopping, but breathlessly

continuously until she finally said, “Let’s… have… prayer.” We

joined hands around and over her bed and I prayed for the nurse.

It was evident that she was “moved,” as she told us of her sordid

past and fought back some tears. It was indeed a “moving” time.

There would have been little hope for Nana to have said anything,

except that His power was perfected in her weakness. When I got

home, I wrote her a follow-up email and indicated the Scripture

Nana had given her from her sick-bed. Never underestimate the

Power of the LORD! He’s everywhere within those who know Him,

and His strength always compensates for our weaknesses.

We continue to pray for you every day,

Nana & Dado III

Update on Nana: She has pneumonia in both lungs. Her doctors

are “fighting” it with medications. Her spirits

are strong and bright. She’s not up to visitation,

due to her limited breathing. But she rejoices

to know that you are praying for her.

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”