Thursday, November 11, 2010

Step by Step


I am a creature of habit. I habitually drive the same way to work each day. I drop my daughter off at school and then head straight for the nearest QT for a 32 oz. iced tea with lots of ice! Because I take the same route each day I see the same businesses, the same people at the bus stop, and even some of the same cars that pass me on the road.

But there is one thing that I see every day that touches my heart and causes me to think. I see an older woman walking with a cane or a walker struggling for each painful step. She moves ever so slowly; if she moved any slower, she wouldn't be moving at all! I can tell that she has to think about each step as her brain tells her legs and feet to move. Maybe she's recovering from a stroke or an accident or a debilitating disease, but there she is every day putting one foot in front of the other moving slowly from point A to point B. She never makes it across the street before the light turns. I worry that someone won't see her still in the crosswalk and I hold my breath every time until she finally approaches the curb!

I admire this woman! I admire her perseverence and courage and her willingness to get out there and face the struggle EVERY DAY! She just doesn't give up!

Sometimes, in my spiritual walk, I feel like that woman. Each step seems slow and deliberate and I wonder if I'm getting very far at all! Satan tries his best to discourage me and keep me from making it from Point A to Point B! But praise be to God who leads me one step at a time! "If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." (Psalm 37:23)

"God, give me the perseverence, courage and willingness necessary to get out there and face the struggle EVERY DAY! Help me to keep in step with the spirit and not give up. Thank you for this daily example and reminder to hold on to your hand and walk one step at a time."

20 comments:

  1. That is what it is all about! Not giving up, not giving in to the enemy that would love for us to. Have a blessed week! Thank you for the encouragement!

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  2. Working with people with disabilities, I am constantly inspired by the determination and positive attitude of so many.

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  3. What a wonderful analogy. May we all have the strength and determination to keep moving forward in small step at a time, just like the elderly woman you see every morning.
    www.myautumnyears.blogspot.com

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  4. Such a great story. We can learn a lot from people like her.

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  5. great analogy.....to never give up...to keep going no matter what...or at what pace. ☺

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  6. There are days I feel the same way,other days I feel like I'm sprinting.Thank-you for his post today.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  7. Amen to that. God walks every step with us and to know that is to believe God cares for us so much that He gave His only begotten son up for us. Wonderful blog.

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  8. I wonder why some people have been given a more difficult life than others. I do know that God gives us sufficient grace to go through any thing we have to face in this life. I bet this old woman has a sweet and giving spirit. All of the Godly virtues are born out of sorrow and suffering. Thanks for the great post. Glad I came by and I'm following you now. God bless, Dr. Bobbi

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  9. I was so pleased to see this post today, Jane. What a good example or maybe I should call it an analogy. I feel exactly like you do sometimes about my spiritual walk. For the over 20 years I have known you, your life have been an encouragement to me. Thank you for sharing this post with us.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  10. What an awesome post! That lady is an inspiration to keep walking and fighting the good fight even though Satan would like for us to just sit down & be done. Have a blessed weekend. Come stop by my blog to find out about the 2nd verse of our national anthem!

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  11. Great post, Jane! A much needed lesson. Thank you for posting. The ladies at L.H. who write such beautiful and needed lessons on your new blog should link one of them each week to S.S. There are over 200 who come to this site and many of them would go to the L.H. site and be blessed and become regular readers.

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  12. Perseverance is another value I need to work on. Most days I am good at it and than there are other days...Life can be so difficult. I have learned I can only trust the Lord. He holds me in the very palm of His hand. Thank you for sharing. Anne

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  13. What a great post. There are times I feel the same way.

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  14. Thanks for linking the two; but along with the analogy my heart of mercy tears within me to want to know where she is headed each day and how could I minister and encourage.
    But, no doubt God gives each one different spiritual gifts of ministry.

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  15. Love the story. Thanks for sharing.

    Have a blessed Sunday!

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  16. Thank you for sharing this encouraging story! What a beautiful example for us.

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  17. most often than not.. i feel the same way. Thank you for this inspiring post.

    Blessings,
    Ruth

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  18. What a lovely thought provoking post today. Thank you foe the inspiration. Have a blessed day.

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  19. Wow! God is working on my heart this morning as I go from page to page of the Spiritual Sunday Posts from the weekend.

    Your post has been part of that inspiration! Thank you for allowing God to use - yes - even a blog - to encourage and lift up the struggling!

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