The year was 1987. I had the brilliant idea that it would be fun to bicycle the state of California. I reached out to a few friends to share my idea and before I knew it, four crazy girls were singing “California, Here We Come!”
We trained hard, planned a bit and off we went! We started our excursion in Redondo Beach and headed north on PCH Highway. The last day of our trip, we biked over the Golden Gate Bridge and coasted into Sausalito yelling with joy! We made it! Between those two cities, we camped on the beach, saw beautiful country and even met John Travolta in a Carmel restaurant. For this disco gal, I couldn’t have been happier.
But, with this trip came challenges. It wasn’t an easy trip. There were some intense hills. Crazy hills. Day after day, it took perseverance and a stick-to-itiveness to keep going north. This word, stick-to-itiveness, actually means dogged perseverance, tenacity, endurance, grit. We had really trained hard for this trip, but nothing prepared us for the intensity of the hills! But it took stick-to-itiveness to keep going when we wanted to give up. Perseverance. We would NOT give up.
I sense that most of us are weary of this pandemic. We’re ready to return to our former lives. There are times Ben or I will say “I just want this quarantine to be DONE!” I'm tired of not seeing friends. I'm tired of not going to work. I'm tired of not swimming. Etc. It feels similar to climbing those hills on PCH Highway. God helped me see my need for perseverance. Stick-to-itiveness.
I need God’s help for perseverance. Maybe you do too! Just listen God’s Word:
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galations 6:9
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12
We trained hard, planned a bit and off we went! We started our excursion in Redondo Beach and headed north on PCH Highway. The last day of our trip, we biked over the Golden Gate Bridge and coasted into Sausalito yelling with joy! We made it! Between those two cities, we camped on the beach, saw beautiful country and even met John Travolta in a Carmel restaurant. For this disco gal, I couldn’t have been happier.
But, with this trip came challenges. It wasn’t an easy trip. There were some intense hills. Crazy hills. Day after day, it took perseverance and a stick-to-itiveness to keep going north. This word, stick-to-itiveness, actually means dogged perseverance, tenacity, endurance, grit. We had really trained hard for this trip, but nothing prepared us for the intensity of the hills! But it took stick-to-itiveness to keep going when we wanted to give up. Perseverance. We would NOT give up.
I sense that most of us are weary of this pandemic. We’re ready to return to our former lives. There are times Ben or I will say “I just want this quarantine to be DONE!” I'm tired of not seeing friends. I'm tired of not going to work. I'm tired of not swimming. Etc. It feels similar to climbing those hills on PCH Highway. God helped me see my need for perseverance. Stick-to-itiveness.
I need God’s help for perseverance. Maybe you do too! Just listen God’s Word:
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galations 6:9
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12
“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might, he increases strength.” Isaiah 40:29
If you’re struggling with the quarantine like I am, give yourself some grace. This isn’t easy. But, also remember that our God gives encouragement, hope, and endurance. He strengthens us with perseverance when we ask for help. Fill your mind with these encouraging verses. He will see you through this hill and show you the other side.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Ant
If you’re struggling with the quarantine like I am, give yourself some grace. This isn’t easy. But, also remember that our God gives encouragement, hope, and endurance. He strengthens us with perseverance when we ask for help. Fill your mind with these encouraging verses. He will see you through this hill and show you the other side.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Ant
Encouraging as usual! Thanks, Nancy!
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