God's Grace Is Sufficient - Joel Osteen

I heard Corrie ten Boom tell something very interesting. She was the lady who, during World War II, hid the Jews from the Nazis and spared many of their lives. Eventually, she was caught and put in prison in the concentration camp. She saw all kinds of atrocities; she even witnessed the death of her own father and her own sister. Through a series of unusual events, she was accidentally released, and her life was spared. In spite of seeing all the senseless killings, she never really got bitter. In fact, she even forgave the man who killed her family. Somebody asked her how she could make it through those dark days of seeing such terrible acts of hatred and still be loving, kind, and forgiving. She answered back with a story. She told of when she was a little girl, her father would take her on train rides throughout Europe. He would always purchase the tickets several weeks in advance but would never give her the ticket until right before they were going to get on board. Of course, she was a small girl, and he was concerned she might lose it or leave it at home. But whenever he saw the headlights of the train pulling into the station, he would hand his little daughter the ticket, and they would step on board together. She said to the person that asked, "The reason you can't fathom how I could forgive the person who killed my family and how I could not be filled with bitterness and hatred is because, just like my father and the tickets, God doesn't give us the grace we need until we're about to step on board. But if you were to ever go through something like I went through, I can assure you God's grace will be there to help you make it through the dark valleys and still keep your head held high and your heart filled with love." And maybe today, when you look out, you don't see how you could overcome an obstacle, accomplish a dream, or forgive somebody that hurt you. But understand, when you get there, God will hand you the ticket. He already purchased it two thousand years ago on a cross at Calvary. When you come to a dark valley, a difficult season, or a sickness, don't worry about it. Your heavenly Father will hand you the ticket. He'll give you the grace, the strength, the favor, and the forgiveness to do what you need to do.

I think about Mary, the mother of Jesus, when the angel appeared unto her and said she was going to have a child without knowing a man. She dared to believe and said, "Yes, let it happen." But think about this: Mary didn't ask to have this baby. Yes, it was a great blessing, and of course, she went down in history, but in a sense, it was a great burden. Here Mary was, planning her wedding. No doubt she had already invited the bridesmaids and made arrangements for the reception. Now her plans are interrupted. Imagine she's got to go tell her friends and family that, for some reason, the wedding is called off. Joseph, her fiancé, the man she greatly loves, she doesn't know if he is going to stay or leave. Instead of having this big wedding, a great celebration, she has to quietly move off to another city. Mary never planned on having her first baby in a manger. She never planned on having to hide the child for two years. Some of you today are not where you planned to be in life. You never planned on raising a child with special needs. You never planned on being alone and single after many years of marriage. You never planned on dealing with that sickness or taking care of a loved one that's ill. You could say, like Mary, "God, I didn't ask for this. This is not what I planned." But just like with her, God has given you the grace to do what He has put before you. He will never give you an assignment without giving you the ability and the strength to make it through victoriously.

You have changed my life with your words and motivation. You helped me to become a better person. I feel so great about your love—never felt that before. I'm lucky to find someone as wonderful as you are. I am so thankful. I want to thank you for your unconditional love for me. You are the most beautiful thing I have ever had in my life. You are the reason I am living in this world. I admire the way you are always there for me. I admire the ways you always care for me. I admire the way you give yourself just to see a loving smile on my face. I want to thank you for your unconditional love for me.