Do you find that in any great endeavor: parenting, starting a business, higher education, mentoring, church planting, getting married, sticking to a budget, training for a marathon, starting a school, following Christ…there is always a honeymoon period, where excitement and motivation comes readily.
As with a marriage, following the honeymoon is often when the really hard work begins: the labor of love that is tenacity, dedication, long-suffering, sacrifice, humility, patience, faith, forgiveness, commitment, and vision. I feel as though this describes the very trenches I find myself in in so many areas of my life at the moment. Nothing is easy. Everything is a choice– to run the race and not look back.
Praise the Lord that “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3) That, above all else, is the goal of all our endeavoring.
I took a moment to look through some photos I took this week at our school. This is but one area of my life that continues to be that labor of love. When I step back, and take in the immense blessings we’ve experienced in our first two years, I can’t help but give thanks, and acknowledge that He did this.
Perhaps there is an area of your life that currently feels overwhelming, unending–too great a task for you to wrap your mind around. (Parenting is a perpetual one for me!) May I encourage you to take time to give thanks, and acknowledge what He has already done? Praise Him for what He has already provided? And keep striving with courage, knowing He will continue to fill you with His love for the labor He has called you to carry on.
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thanks for the encouragement, ruth
i definitely feel like this a lot..but praise God that He’s with us the whole way 
Such a timely and important reminder. Gratitude is key in being diligent.
Thank you for this timely encouragement. While many different areas of my life may go through this phase, I am currently struggling with finishing my degree. It is definitely something I want, it is simply taking longer than I ever expected. I am close to finishing (3 more semesters), but I really am not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel yet. Again, thank you
Ladies, it’s good to know I’m not the only one who needed the reminder! May the Lord teach us to rest and not be overwhelmed, be anticipating but not anxious.
Ruth,
I am not currently teaching. I work as an office manager for a local pediatric therapy company. As all of the therapists work in the schools, I am the only one who is physically in the office. This job was definitely a gift from God as it is not overwhelming in either the time required or work load. Plus, I have very dear friends as employers, which makes it all the better. I guess at times I simply feel the push (and rush) to get on with it all and start my “real” job. When I step back and take a breath, I know that all will happen in God’s time. I suppose I must remember to actually “step back and take a breath” more often.