Abundantly Above!

My favorite scripture since Joel’s birth in 1976 has been Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” You see, after Darren having to struggle for breath due to his premature birth, I was terrified that the next baby would be premature and not survive.

I read this scripture and began to think of praying for a birth weight that was “abundantly above” what I would expect or even ask. Jennifer was 6 lbs. 10 oz. and Darren 5 lbs. 4 oz., so I decided that a good 7 lbs. would be my prayer! When my baby boy weighed in at 8 lbs. 1 oz., I made the first entry in the margin of my Bible. It may not seem like a big thing to anyone else, but to me, God confirmed His word and exhibited His great love and care for me!

Since then, every Bible I have used is marked next to Eph. 3:20 with dates, names and notations about prayers answered! From the results of Jennifer’s hand biopsy in 1981 to Rylan’s birth in 2007, from China adoptions to good medical reports, from present needs to future hopes and dreams, this is the verse I have claimed, relied upon, quoted, prayed and given to others. It has been in many ways my “life verse” my “go to” assurance.  The margin scribbles are like little memorials reminding me that I am blessed, that “my cup runneth over”, that I can depend upon the faithfulness of my God.

Lamentations 3 says that “His mercies are new every morning.” The space in the margins of my Bibles might get messy and be filled up, but He doesn’t give me a “quota” of the number of times He’ll answer, proving to me yet again that His Word is true and powerful. To show that He is, as His Old Testament name El Shaddai tells us, “more than enough”!