My little people love to compete with each other. The Lone Ranger, Maven, Brown Sugar, and Think Tank use the first-floor hallway as an indoor soccer arena and the doorways at either end as their goals. At the playground’s open field, they kick off their shoes, mark a starting point, and sprint for the “finish line”: a tree stump, an anthill, or Hubby. These are spirited match-ups—definitely more lighthearted than their race for the seat next to mine at the table—and they’re fun (and noisy) to watch. They’re also nail biters, because it’s often a photo finish between Maven and Think Tank, with Maven winning by a nose. During winter soccer Think Tank pointed out that while his sister is faster on shorter distances, she gives out during longer soccer matches and races. Maven is a great sprinter, but Think Tank has better endurance.
Does your faith give out? Sometimes mine does. When my faith has to run cross country it gets winded; it runs out of gas. Long stretches of waiting, testing, and suffering wear me out spiritually. I want to give up, question God, and mourn my circumstances. But if I exercise my faith and give my salvation a workout, I can increase my endurance, keeping in mind that “the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11). Instead of crying “Uncle!” I need to call on Jesus and rely on His mercy to press on—through lessons on math facts, dealing with toddlers, worries over SAT scores, long drives with seven little people, paying for college, menu planning, aging parents, and other bumps in the road that trip me up. Think Tank is on the right track when it comes to facing trials: Don’t worry about finishing first. Just finish well. “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)
As usual, I needed that. I was just thinking how exhausted I am. I was feeling like I’m ripping and running…on empty. This evening I will take time to be filled back up.