As the end of my term as Lutheran Women in Mission President approaches, I find myself wondering — did I do enough? Did I always say and do the right thing? Did I offer encouragement when it was needed instead of judgement? Did I keep the focus of Lutheran Women in Mission on Christ? Did I allow for the flow of new ideas while standing firm on doctrine? Did I bring the joy and hope of Jesus to those who heard me speak? Did I do enough?

Well, of course I didn’t! Romans 3:23 says for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Yikes! That would be a terrifying and final statement for those who don’t know Jesus. I know my Savior covers me with His grace. He did more than “enough” — for me and for you. He took my sins upon Himself, suffered, and died on a cross — for me and for you. He rose triumphantly, conquering sin, death, and the power of Satan — for me and for you.  He did it all, and my response is to serve my Savior, share His love, and glorify His name in all that I do.

I read on in Romans and took delight in the assurance of His promises. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (Romans 3:23–24).

A new president will be elected in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this June. She will, by God’s grace, lead this organization into the future, always seeking His will. She, equipped and willing, will not be able to “do it all,” and that’s OK. The standard, set by Christ, is unattainable for us and we need not, and cannot, “do enough” but we have a God who did, and can. For me, and I hope for all, His is grace is enough.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9–10).

This is my last blog as president and that is bitter-sweet. It has been an honor to serve God in this capacity, but I will look forward to what lies ahead because I am HIS; Held by His Word, Inspired to share His message, and Surrounded by His grace.

Did I do enough? No, but Jesus did, and I will stand on that truth and trust in His plans for me.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Thank you, my friends, for reading my missives, for your prayers, and your love. May you rest in His promises and always Celebrate the Lord of the Nations!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie