It’s that time of year. Some days it feels like winter; other days we’re sure it’s spring. The days are getting longer. We see green start to unfurl among the brown of last summer’s burned out grass. Tiny buds appear on tree limbs. Flowers bloom.
We never really got back into a routine after our Christmas break. We make it through each day, abortion doing lessons, logging days, but all the time we wonder how early we can take spring break. How many days left ‘til summer?
Then there are those goals we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year. It seems like a distant memory, the day we promised ourselves we were going to exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, cut out the sugar, get ourselves in better financial shape, make choices about next year’s curriculum that will keep it effective and inexpensive.
I’m behind. Taking small steps toward my goals is hit and miss. Some days I’m so overwhelmed I do nothing. I am frozen by the enormity of the task, by everything that needs to happen for our family to be where we want it to be, where we feel God is leading us.
It’s on those days that I want to give up, that I look for something to hold onto, a promise that God is with me, that we can walk this path. It’s on those days I hear that whisper in my heart: Don’t give up. It’s worth it.
And I remember the verse I have returned to for years, every time life gets hard and I’m not sure we’re going to make it through:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV1984)
We will reap the benefits of all our hard work if we press on and press through the hard times, the times that we’re stuck, the times that we’re sure we’re done for. Keep taking those baby steps. Don’t give up!
What steps do you take to press on when life gets hard?
Jennifer is the wife of one hard-working husband and the multi-tasking mom of two, one with special needs. Read more about how her family presses on and presses through on her blog.
Jennifer, I remember…when you first started walking some of this path…and in the past two years…as I’ve tried to walk along your side…never once have you faltered in your faith of God, nor your love of your family. YOu have been a shining light to me….and I thank you for living this out loud…for whispering quietly and remaining in his love!!!!
Thanks, Rebecca! I am always encouraged by your faith and your perseverance through the hard times too. We WILL reap the harvest if we don’t give up. Press on!
Thank you for the encouragement. Great advice!
I think back to a sermon I heard last year. Our pastor talked about a time when we had a huge snow storm, in our area. He took his son out to play and the snow was up past his waist {the son}. Then his son wanted to go to the swing set that was in the back yard…several yards away. The son took two steps and asked his dad to carry him. The Dad then said to his son, “for each step say, ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.'” Sometime we Moms need to remember to say that while we are walking this path, that seems hard and where we see things up to our eyeballs. Remember Philippians 4:13 my friends!
What steps do I take to press on? I pray and then God sends me an encouraging post like this from someone like you!! Thank you for sharing with us and encouraging us. It is always wonderful to have such an awesome support group like The Homeschool Village!