Perseverance in the Journey

Good Morning from Alabama! It’s been quite a while since my last post but our life roads have been kinda crooked lately. Some of our journey has been fun with a lot of unexpected humor. Some of the journey has been flat out hard.

One of our fun journeys has been the addition of our twin kittens; the only 2 in the litter. Meet Spunky, our handsome yellow fellow, and Matilda, Matty for short, our beautiful blue eyed girl.

Our newest life journey though has been plain ole hard! I recently developed unexpected mobility issues due to a rapid deterioration of the bones in my right foot; much quicker that even my doctors expected. I now can’t even stand on that foot and am waiting on further testing and obtaining a wheelchair. To be quite honest, I have been overwhelmed by the whole experience. All of the questions, the trying to balance and learn how to not fall but still clean, do laundry and cook, the not knowing what to do, the worry for my hubby, the wondering about the what ifs … it’s all exhausting, sad and overwhelming 😴😢😩.

So how does one cope? How does one deal with life alterations?

One goes to the Lord. It’s that simple. Like the old hymn says, “Take it to the Lord in prayer.” One “give(s) thanks in all things”. One goes to the Scripture for guidance and comfort.

I’ve been trying to do all of that but this morning it was a mighty heavy load. I woke way before daybreak and honestly, I fretted. I felt a weight on my shoulders as if I was carrying a huge backpack overflowing with cares and concerns and forcing my shoulders towards the ground. I tossed and turned trying to go back to sleep. Then I fretted about fretting! I know I’m not supposed to be anxious or worry because that is not of God. So I tried to pray. My prayers seemed stagnant and they finally stopped all together.

Then, I remembered James, the book of James in the Bible that is. I am quite certain that the Lord planted this precious Scripture in my heart long ago and it has sustained me through the years. It sustains me now.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1: 2-4 NIV

I read that over and over in my YouVersion Bible ap in my smart phone. I read several different versions but I kept going back to the NIV using the word, “perseverance”. Other versions used “endurance”… I definitely need that because I’m feeling mighty tired lately. Some versions used “patience” … well I certainly need that, especially with the uncertainties. But there was something about perseverance that, in a manner of speaking, stuck with me. I need perseverance and the way to get that is to consider this time, these trials, this journey, to consider it all joy. Joy to produce perseverance… Perseverance in this new life journey; Perseverance through the trials; Perseverance in my faith; Perseverance in trusting my Lord Who’s Grace is Always Sufficient for my every need; Perseverance to become a mature Christian that can help others along their life’s journeys.

I know this is not the worst thing in the world to happen and I really don’t want to whine or complain. I can tell myself that all day in order to cope and move along. But in truth, I am grieving my loss and only the Good Lord will help my hubby and me as we walk, or should I say “ride”😉, better yet, as we persevere on this journey. Hopefully, our unexpected life journey will encourage you to trust and lean on The Lord to guide, help and comfort you along your journey.

God be with you dear friends,

Kim 💕🙂