Have you ever sat in quiet amazement at the way God shows His personal love for you—especially when you’ve let go? I have. This week was one of those moments.
Surrender. Doubt. Weakness. And then, God’s unwavering love steps in—right when we feel we can’t keep up. Even when we’ve failed, His grace holds us.
For seven days, I had the joy of hosting two beautiful couples from Maryland who came on a mission trip to help our small church and community in Darby, MT. They joined 46 other caring souls, and together their kindness and generosity washed over our town.
They painted the high school, the gazebo, and the community park bathroom. They roofed a house, planted gardens, helped with Vacation Bible School, and worked on finishing a new gathering place—a Main Street coffee house. In between, they even went door-to-door to ask neighbors if they needed prayer. Even when our community felt weary, God wasn’t. His grace met us.
2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient in our weakness, and Hebrews 4:16 tells us to come boldly to His throne to find help in time of need.
Thirty minutes before my guests were due to arrive, a local carpenter finished replacing the rails on my back deck—a badly needed repair. But how could I get them painted in time? I had to simply let go.
To my astonishment, God’s grace showed up again. One of my guests insisted that, in the slivers of spare time they had, they would paint those rails for me. I hadn’t expected such a gift, and gratitude filled my heart.
Yet few in our community knew that these helpers—sent by God—were also carrying deep personal pain.
Just one day before their arrival, Pat Collins, a much-loved leader of their group, was in a head-on collision and clinging to life. Day after day, we prayed for what seemed an impossible healing, even as they served with cheerful hearts.
Yesterday, as they traveled back to Maryland and Indiana, God in His mercy took Pat to his heavenly home—a place of perfect healing and rest.
On my coffee maker, which served these guests all week, is a small sign: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” As Christians, we never fight alone.
Isaiah 41:10 promises, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” And Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
When we feel like letting go, God holds on tighter. His love doesn’t just meet us—it carries us. And sometimes, His help comes wrapped in the hands and hearts of others, right when we need it most.
