I have come to think that many of the beautiful, worthwhile things in life come with a moment in which you consider giving up. I have heard that marriage has such moments (though I have never experienced one), and so do great dreams, and tasks from God. Even though Jesus shares our burdens when we are yoked with him, in the scriptures it seems that suffering goes hand in hand with walking with Christ.
Last Sunday I briefly fantasized giving up. It’s funny how little things set us off. Elijah was acting up at church so I had him outside in the 100 degree weather when a huge moth flew into my hair. We went back inside and a woman spilt hot coffee all over me by over-exuberant clapping. That’s it, I thought. I want to go home. (In reality it was the week without water coupled with the armed robbery I had just experienced that was wearing on me).
Before I could explore my idea of giving up any further an oft repeated phrase popped into my mind:
“When faced with a mountain, I will not quit! I will keep on striving until I climb over, Find a pass through, tunnel underneath, or simply stay and turn that mountain into a gold mine with God's help."[1] (Thanks, Dad!)
How much would we gain if we pushed through those moments in which we consider quitting?
Since that moment, little signs tell me that I have begun to adapt to life in Honduras. My legs are muscular for the first time in my life (from climbing the mountain of stairs to our street). I was listening to regaton music and I could actually understand some of the words! And I have begun to kill spiders and bugs on my own! (This is a HUGE accomplishment!) Stupid things, but signs that I am adapting.
I am excited to find the gold mine of blessing that I know God has for our family in Honduras.
[1] “Possibility Thinker’s Creed” by Robert H. Schuller
No comments:
Post a Comment