There is phrase that is popular today..."The Weakest Link". I have used it myself from time to time to define a person...it is not a compliment!

After a three week period in Florida for tests etc. I stopped at my brother Paul's house to break up the return trip, but mostly just to be with him for a night. Our time together is usually spent in sweet fellowship that includes worship to the Lord. Paul is an incredibly gifted musician, and I have often thought the Psalmist David must have been similar to him. In the early morning light, after a well needed rest, Paul in his usual manner, picked up his guitar, and began to play.

There is something that happens when we turn our eyes upon Jesus...He melts down all defenses, and goes where no man can...not even we ourselves. As we closed our eyes in worship and sang together there in his humble abode, the Spirit of the Living God descended. The room felt thick with the presence of God. Paul laid his guitar down and rested on his bed just absorbing the sweetness of His fragrance, while I sat in the recliner, trying to not let the flood of emotions rise to the surface. But I could not contain them, and the sobs began. I felt
embarrassed to be weak...to be sad...and to not be strong for him, who I knew was going through his own pain.

A few minutes later he came and bent over me, and anointed me with oil. As he made the sign of the cross on my forehead, he said this, "Father remove the spirit of heaviness from Patty, and restore to her the spirit of gladness!" Then he lifted me up and held me in his arms
as I wept. I said, "Paul I am so sorry...I want to be strong for everyone and I feel so weak." I will never forget what he said to me..."You are in the presence of weakness!" As I drove back home, the words resounded in my heart... "You are in the presence of weakness..."

I have wanted to be strong my whole life, and it just seems to elude me. Some think of me as strong, but I don't, I have failed God so many times in word, thought or deed. I would personify "The weakest link" to some. But as I was driving home that day, I was once again drawn to what the Word says about this subject of weakness... it is the complete opposite of how the world defines it.

1 Corinthians 1:26 ..."Not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world, to put to shame the things that are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things which are, that no flesh should glory in His presence...", 2 Corinthians 2:9 "...Jesus said to Apostle Paul, "My strength is made perfect in weakness." and in Isaiah 40:29 "He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength."

Yes, I was in the presence of weakness that morning...and although I believe my brother was referring to himself, I believe that Jesus, who personified humility, being clothed in humanity, became a servant, and went as a lamb to the slaughter (the epitome of weakness)...was there too.

In the cold winter morning, weakened by the battle raging in my mind and body... tired from travel...my strength was increased ...

In The Presence Of Weakness

Love, Patty