Perseverance...

Saturday I attended my son's first track meet, ever. It was getting close to his first event so John and I made our way to the fencing around the track right at the starting blocks. As we waited we watched a girls relay begin. The young ladies were getting their blocks in the correct lane position and adjusting the feet to meet their comfort for a good push off. One young lady, just in front of us, didn't know what to do. She was working and trying, but her blocks were not in the correct location. The officials were getting ready to start the race and they hadn't noticed she was in the wrong place. It wasn't until another young lady asked for help that the official noticed. So he helped the first gal, then made his way to the other, "Miss Lane 6". She still kind of fumbled around and didn't quite understand what the official excepted of her, but she tried and persevered. When it was time to start her blocks still weren't set correctly and the official looked over and my husband and I and said with a little smile, "she'll find her way." We nodded and agreed, equally smiling. Grace in action. I love that.

You are richly crafted and gifted by God. The key is to recognize your gifts and then hone them in and develop them. No matter what your gift may be, you have to exercise it and be ok with fumbling around in it, until you develop it just like a spiritual muscle. We also need to give grace to each other as they are finding their own place, too. We always encourage, "don't be afraid to try", but then when we try there are others who expect perfection right off the start blocks. Why?

Never be afraid to try. You won't be like a seasoned athlete your first day. But with patience and persistence--you'll get the hang of it. ~Nicole

"When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid."
-Audre Lorde

"Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1