Don't Give Up

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 ESV

Good Morning Girlfriends:

As I sit here today typing this word out, I realized that we have now entered a new season, yes the season that we call "Fall." In this season the air is crispy first thing in the morning, and does not warm up until later in the afternoon.

This morning as sat in my comfy chair reading the word all cuddled up in a homemade quilt, I decided to try baking a squash in the oven. There was a method behind this idea of mine, well maybe two, one was to slowly cook it all day to have with my meal later on and two, was to warm up the house a bit to take the chill off. No heaters have turned on in this house as of yet, windows still stay open throughout the day as well as throughout the night for that good ole fresh air to flow through.

A friend of mine had called me a week or so ago, one I have not heard from in quite awhile, she only had a few minutes to chat before she headed into her work place, but before we had hung up she shared with me that had felt to call me to tell me not to give up. Quickly I responded with a "Oh I'm not giving up," the we exchanged our good byes and that was it. Afterwards I had thought about those words again and wondered why she felt to tell me that, I wasn't giving up on anything, or was I?

Since late last fall, November actually, we had a new little addition to the family, a new grandson (not so little 10 1/2 lbs). The days were busy busy, especially with a 16 month old beginning to take steps around the house, the days were certainly full of excitement with many extra chores to get through. A few months later, this little family moved back to their dwelling to see how they would make out on their own, in which they found their own daily routine that worked for them which was so reassuring.

Since spring I have been on my own again, with a very very quiet house, not saying that there hasn't been all kinds of activity on the go, such as helping a friend decorate for weddings all summer long, helping another friend with painting projects along the way as well as decorating for a baby shower for a soon arrival of yet another little precious gift. Needless to say there has been many things to pray for in the last season to keep me busy as a few friends of mine and I would get together for a prayer session once a week.

Many new changes have been happening in my life, as I am believing for many new doors to open in this last season of this year, I have been waiting patiently for a phone call, papers in the mail, a change of residence, keys being placed in my hand. Once again, days later I kept thinking about those words that had been spoken "Don't give up," as I continued to think about what was I giving up about. I was thinking about all of the exciting things to come, all of the turn arounds that I was expecting for myself and others as well, but at the back of my mind I knew what it was that I had given up and that is what I am doing right now as I bring this word forth.

For too long I have stopped writing, life became busy with other things, we could call them distractions, from what I knew that God had called me to do. I knew I had to repent and ask God to forgive me, which of course He already has, but the next most important step that I knew that I had to take, was to get back at it, pick it up again in hopes that I could make a difference to someone, somewhere.

Girlfriends, there are so many scriptures that I can use to let you know that no matter what it is that we have laid down or stopped doing for Him or turned from, it doesn't matter as much as it is for us to pick it back up, to keep going in order that we keep moving. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us to "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Philippians 4:13 tells us that "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." One final scripture found in Romans 8:28 says, " And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."

Sometimes we just need that encouraging word from a friend, a gentle reminder to get one back on track. I know I am truly blessed for having that encouragement not only from friends but from family as well, which is a great strength and comfort to help me to keep going on my journey, as I help others along the way. That brings me back to our key verse that tells us not to grow weary of doing good for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

So girlfriends, whatever it may be that you are facing today, whatever that thing is that has had you stopped in your tracks, God wants you to know that He is right there with you cheering you along the way. God wants us all to know that just because we have a little hiccup along the way, it doesn't mean that we should feel shame, it's totally the opposite. He tells us in Romans 5:5, "And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

So pick that thing back up, get back into that prayer life, that prayer group, that gift that God has blessed you with to create things with your hands, finish that book that you began a long time ago, pick the phone up and call that special friend that you haven't heard from for a long time, or pick up the pen and continue to write songs that you have been gifted to do.

Girlfriends, God loves each and every one of us, He's not upset with us, but He would want me to encourage you today to not give up in any situation that you face at any time in your life, just keep going. There are some times that seem harder than others but as we grow and we learn from each passing season it's so important to keep making the effort to move one foot in front of the other as we move into another day then the next. We will never know what may come out of something if we give up, so together let's keep moving, pushing through. God's not done with us yet, keep looking up and thanking God for each and every day we have on this earth so that we may make a difference, Amen?

Let's Pray,

Father God, we praise you and thank you for not giving up on us for all of the times that we have slipped up, messed up or given up in one form or another. You are a good good Father, You are gracious to each and every one of us and for that we are tremendously thankful. You love us even at times when we can be at our lowest and don't deserve to be loved but you do anyway, that's just how good and gracious You are. Lord, thank you for the strength that You give each of us to get back up again, You do not ridicule us or condemn us, You just love us and for that we are forever grateful. Lord, I speak blessings over each sweet soul today, that they would be encouraged to not give up, but to keep living, believing and moving forward from this day forward, in the Mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Be Blessed sweet girlfriends and pass the blessings on to everyone you meet today and every day for in the end you will be rewarded.