Lent Day 18: Perseverance

We spent the day working outside in the yard. Preparing garden beds, trimming the grass, pulling weeds, painting the porch. There were so many projects. Starting the day, I was overwhelmed thinking of all of it. We started in. Pulling one weed at a time. The day finished and I looked around. The front yard manicured. The porch with a full fresh coat of paint. A cement rock wall taking shape in the back.

Projects that I hadn't even considered doing this year were well on the way to completion. Having my Dad here sparked in us a motivation to attack the work. Each of us drew off of each other's energy and kept going even though we all talked about wanting a nap in the afternoon.

A main focus on my reading about prayer tonight was on continuing the discipline even when it feels like you are not good at it or making progress or being heard. It is to pray more and to trust that God will be faithful. It seems that surrounding yourself with a community of believer's makes this type of perseverance easier. Just as each of us wanted to give up on the yard work, watching the work of the others inspired us to continue on with each of our jobs. There was also a desired to help each other when the work got hard.

In the past few years, I've found myself with a prayer partner. We talk on the phone about life, about matters of the heart, about matters of faith and then we pray, out loud for each other. Her dedication to pursuing faith inspires me. My living out my call inspires her. We both press on towards God.

Looking back, its been one weed at a time. But I've made progress in my faith. There are many projects left to tackle. Unanswered questions and hidden doubts that nag on me in the deepest corners of my heart. But, I trust Grace and persevere in prayer after the heart of God.