Being Persistent Takes Persistence

Here’s another day of coming out from under my “mighty woman of God” rock and I'm going to boast about some of my weaknesses. I’m following St. Paul’s lead with his powerful words of advice. He said: “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Sometimes I don’t want to answer my phone, so I let the call go to my voice mail. And, sometimes, I don’t feel like doing the unselfish thing. I want to just sit in my cozy chair and take a power nap, or watch TV. I don’t want to do one more thing today. I don’t want to respond to someone asking for advice. But just because I don’t feel like it, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do it.

This might really shock you. Sometimes I don’t feel like praying or reading my Bible or going to my Bible Study group. But I do it. I’ve found that if the only time I pray or read my Bible is when I feel like it, Satan makes sure I never feel like it. I’ve been in this “mature” relationship with God long enough that I know I must live my life by my commitments, not by my feelings.

The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people are willing to do what unsuccessful people don’t feel like doing. They develop habits. They stay committed. They don’t get to the Olympics because they feel like it. They get to the Olympics by hours and hours of training that they didn’t feel like doing. In the same way, we don’t become godly men or women by simply doing what we feel like doing. Godly men and women choose to develop the habits that produce godliness in their lives. It’s not any easier than working out or rehearsing or anything else that may be good for us but we don’t feel like doing.

Probably the greatest example in the Bible of persistence is Moses. For 40 years, he led whining, complaining, immature people around the desert while they questioned his leadership the entire time. Yet he never gave up. Hebrews 11:27 says, “It was faith that made Moses leave Egypt without being afraid of the king’s anger. As though he saw the invisible God, he refused to turn back..” Moses saw the invisible God. He kept his eyes on God. So, rather than retreating – we carry on and we keep our eyes on God, too! We continue our persistence to win the battle by being God’s devoted, persistent followers and by doing the uncomfortable. Hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant,” will make it worth it all.

Being One-Another Minded

I wasn't in the "in-crowd" growing up. You know -- the crowd where everyone knew each other -- gathered together in their little groups, ate together, in clubs together, hung out together at recess. I was a shy child. I know that's hard to believe. Instead of going to the outgoing kids, my mom coaxed me to look for the other kids who are by themselves. She told me to show interest in them and ask questions about what they like. “If you care for others, you won’t be lonely yourself.” That nudging from my mom still serves me well today. At first it was hard to overcome my nervousness to talk to others I didn’t know. But over time, I learned to say hi to any girls who were sitting alone. I became more comfortable and now – here I am, many decades later, and I still follow my mom’s advice when I’m in a room filled with people I don’t know. Look for the lonely. I assure you. They are just hoping someone will speak to them.

It’s easy to walk into a crowded room and either stick with the people we know or hide in a corner with a phone. Yet this verse tells us otherwise: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10) We’re instructed to consider others. Introverts have difficulty making that first move toward a stranger. Believe me. I know. But as God’s children, we step out of our comfort zones and reach out as a service to the Lord -- looking for the lonely, looking for ways to bless others. "One another” is mentioned twice in that scripture. It shows us how important loving others is to God. Opening up the medicine cabinet right with the CURE for loneliness and shyness. Being “one another” minded. When we purposelly look to serve others, our shyness will melt away and we will make heart-to-heart connections.

I really wasn't outgoing, but I learned "to have friends, show yourself friendly". Now I have so many brothers and sisters in Christ. Please dear friends know that you are not alone! You are part of God’s beautiful, loving family. What if we began to pray and humble ourselves to become God's servants who live a life of ONE ANOTHER LIVING? "What can I do for you? What can I do for others that helps them to win?" We're ALL on the same team -- we're God's kids, and we represent our Father. Everyone will know us by being on the LIGHT side by our love for one another. All for ONE -- ONE for all.

Daddy’s Girl

Yesterday was my girl’s birthday and, quite unlike me, I wasn’t with her because I was on “Nana Duty” in Austin. I called her and we talked about how much she was always a Daddy’s Girl. No, he wasn’t the hands-on, diaper changing, feeding or the one who got up with her in the middle of the night – that’s when she was Mama’s girl. But when it came to matters of seizing the opportunity to turn her little “charcoal” into a “diamond”, he showed up. She was his "project". He saw her God-given abilities and was relentless in cultivating her talents the rest of his life. He never stopped encouraging her and giving her wise advice. And, because she embraced his words, more and more doors opened to her.

Staci was in 20-degrees Colorado last week and I asked when we talked by phone, “I hear your Dad’s voice…..’Are you wearing a coat?’” He was known for being the “mother hen” to be sure she was taking care of her voice. Then with her travels, “Did you take your soundtracks?” (Randomly, she would be asked to sing at an event, and he wanted her to always be prepared.) I still hear him advising her: “Stop talking so much – you need to rest your voice!” "Pronounce your words clearly!" “Smile!" "Get closer to the mic!" She gives her Daddy so much credit for who she is today. I’ve proudly loved their relationship. He was her knight in shining armor and I was so thrilled to witness their unbreakable bond that grew beyond imagination.

She knows that it has never bothered me that she gives her Dad so much credit for who she is today. He was, himself, incredibly talented, and he poured those talents into her, both genetically and with hours upon hours of personal training. His investment into her has paid off in monumental ways.

As I drove to Austin, I was thinking about my relationship with my Father – not my earthly Dad, because he was very sick and passed away when I was 15, but my Heavenly Father. I’m Daddy’s Girl, too! There were times when I was struggling with “stuff” and I envisioned myself crawling up in God’s lap and seeing Him wrapping His arms around me and assuring me “Everything’s gonna’ be alright!” And, it was. I’m a Daddy’s Girl. I assure you I know how much He loves me. I have come to know His protection and security. He instructs me daily through His Holy Spirit Who lives big in me. I know it is Him when I’m reminded to do this or that better. When I feel less than proud of myself, He’ll remind me how proud He is of me.

Let me assure you “YOU are God’s girl or boy, too!” Our Father loves us. How do we know that we are fully loved by God? Because His Word tells us so. One of my favorite verses that talks about the depth of God’s love is found in Psalm 103:11: "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him.” He believes in us and is eager to help when we ask Him. He is for us as our protector, mentor, helper, and friend.

The more I sense God’s love, the more I know I’m Daddy’s girl.
My girl didn’t have to earn her Daddy’s love. And neither do we have to earn God’s love. God’s love is stronger and deeper than any human father’s love. In God, we have a Dad Who knows us and understands us better than anyone. He sees our heart and desire to be good; He sees our struggles and how we are drawn to things that aren’t good for us. He is always there to listen and help when we pray to Him with a sincere and humble heart. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.” Psalm 34:15.

School of Hard Knocks

Many of us went to, and even graduated from the School of Hard Knocks. I'll never forget how smart my husband and I thought we were starting out in life -- so very young and inexperienced. His dad tried to counsel us on so many things and offer his sound advice and wisdom to us. But, no, we had to do things "our way" -- which we thought was the much "better way". Oh, how much time, effort, and money we could have saved ourselves had we heeded his wisdom. Two years before we married, against his dad's recommendations for an automatic, Ron was determined to get a standard shift car -- and it just HAD to be a 1964 Chevy Super Sport Impala. I remember "Ronnie" trying to teach me to drive it -- and, oh my, I have memories of almost sending us through the windshield from trying to shift from neutral to first to second to third and almost stripping the gears. Eventually, I got it down. But we had many regrets about that car -- if only we'd listened. And, we learned the "hard knocks" way in so many other ventures.

Many of us are still in the School of Hard Knocks, and we're still diligently pursuing that place of success and prosperity. I assure you -- we'll get to graduate, sooner rather than later, if we'll listen to, and apply, Professor Wisdom's words that are found in the Book of Proverbs. We'll find in her "Wisdom Class" that wisdom doesn’t come automatically. Rather, it’s tested and proven in day-to-day life.

Professor Wisdom or “Lady Wisdom” is a teacher who is more concerned about teaching us valuable lessons, and less concerned about being our friend. She teaches us that the way of wisdom is not always an easy road, but she does promise that if we hang in there, and keep heeding her advice, we'll get to a blessed life. Proverbs 4:5-7 “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of HER mouth. Forsake HER not, and SHE shall preserve you: LOVE HER, and SHE shall keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting -- get understanding.” Let's heed Professor Wisdom's advice, as well as to those brilliant and successful sages that have paved the way for us -- it is sure worth the investment!