Never Give Up –by Marilyn Meberg

I love it when a message comes my way - just the right words at just the right time! Thank you Women of Faith and Marilyn Meberg. Here is the message ... words from the Women of Faith daily refreshment...

Never Give Up
by Marilyn Meberg

I love a “never give up” attitude! When my son Jeff, at the age of three, was desperately trying to learn the art of tying his own shoes, I tried to encourage him by saying he had time to learn; there was no rush. Once I learned Tommy Dinkerdoodle (I’ve learned I’m supposed to change the names of people to whom I refer) could tie his shoes without even muttering to himself, I then understood Jeff’s intensity.

One morning when the shoe tying effort was especially unrewarding, I thought I’d inspire Jeff with the words of Winston Churchill spoken during some of England’s darkest days during WWII. (I know…I know. Sometimes during my early mothering phase I found myself talking for my own edification.) “Jeff honey…when it looked as if England would be defeated by the Nazi soldiers marching across Europe and heading for London, Winston Churchill addressed the people and shouted, ‘Never give up…never, never, never!’.”

Taken back by my dramatic outburst, Jeff walked into the kitchen and asked if he could maybe have a piece of toast. I decided it would be good if we both had a piece of toast.

Hours later I passed Jeff’s room; he was sitting on the floor once again struggling with his shoe laces. He was muttering over and over, “Never get up…never…never…never.” The inspirational words were incorrect but his spirit of determination ultimately paid off. He lives in California; I live in Texas. I have yet to fly there to help him tie his shoelaces.

Those of us well-schooled in biblical promises know the words of Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NKJ) But sometimes I wonder if I truly have an accurate interpretation of that verse. Sometimes I’m not sovereignly designed to “do all things”; sometimes I need to trust whatever God intends for me to learn when I don’t succeed. “I can do all things” may mean I will be strengthened as I live through an experience I did not expect or choose. With God’s enablement I can do it. I need to listen carefully to what God may be teaching me, even when I don’t achieve my goal!

Thank you again Marilyn! I have been strengthened as I live through things I did not expect or choose. I continue to learn as I seemingly fall short of my goals, and I try to find comfort and peace in what God has planned for me.