How to Persevere

I use a motivational running calendar. Yesterday in it I read about a man competing in an ironman triathalon. Less than 100 yards into the event, he felt a cramp in his leg. It painfully worsened as he was bicycling and then running. What kept him going? It was gratitude.

He focused on the fact that he was actually physically able to compete in a sport he loved. He appreciated the gentle warmth of the September day. He really enjoyed being with athletes and he felt the support of family and friends cheering him on. As intense as the pain was, he realized that "it's never all bad."

It is never all bad. Even in the most difficult of situations, we can find something good. We can look for something for which to be grateful. This may be cliche, but it's about an attitude of gratitude. And that may be just what is needed to keep going in difficult situations. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, for those who have been called according

 to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Resolved: To find the good in the most difficult situations.

"Who I Am"

My friends' daughter wrote a children's book. I bought a copy soon after I saw it was available.

After reading it, I gave it to my daughter to read. I asked her what she thought the message is. She replied, "that everyone has gifts, but other people may not be ready to see or accept your gifts, but the one who always sees your gifts is God. And even though other people do not want to receive your gifts, you shouldn't give up, but keep trying..."

Well, I thought that was a good response.

This is a wonderful book for children and even for adults, for parents and grandparents to read with their children. 

(Don't tell my grandson, but this will be his birthday gift.)

Heavenly Father, thank you that each of is unique and that each of us is wonderfully made. Thank you for all the gifts you bless us with to share with others. Please grant us opportunities to share our gifts
and to gratefully receive what others share with us,
with all honor, glory, and thanksgiving to you,
the Giver of all good gifts.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works..." Psalm 139:14.

"You Lift Us Up"

When our daughter was in grade school, she played on a softball team. Parents, family, and friends would come to watch the games. I'll never forget the time she was hit in the head by a fly ball. I not only saw it happen, but I could hear the "thud" as it hit her. The game stopped. I ran out into the field. The coach drove us to the doctor's office for her to be checked out. Thank God, no serious harm done.

Why did that happen? Was she momentarily distracted and not see the ball coming? Did she not have her glove ready to catch the ball? 

Photo by Yaw Afari on Unsplash

I thought of that incident this morning when I read a commentary on the Biblical phrase: "He lifts up the lowly." The image of "lifting up" is that of a father scooping up his child into his arms and holding the child close and comforting the child. I thought of children playing freely, not always aware of dangers that may be around them. I thought about children who fall as they run and play, whose smiles turn into tears.

We the children of God the Father are the little ones, the lowly ones. We are sometimes hurt by circumstances in our lives, not always seeing troubles coming our way. Our Father is there to lift us up, to take us into his strong arms and hold us close. No matter what the dangers are that surround us, we can always trust him to be there. He is with us always.