Stubborn. Strong-willed. These are not words that seem like positive traits or gifts, especially if they refer to a toddler. I certainly needed to read the book Raising the Strong-Willed Child to understand and learn the best ways to harness that strong will for good. Interestingly, one of my high school Sunday school students said that she thinks being stubborn could be a gift that leads to perseverance, and most people view perseverance as a virtue, so maybe she’s correct.
At my house these days, we are watching season fifteen of The Voice. One of the performers that made the show has auditioned for every season. Y’all that’s perseverance. But the other day, a friend said that some people should realize no matter how hard they work, they will never be a professional singer. As an example, she pointed to the auditions for American Idol. She said some people should quit.
At my house, quit is a four-letter word. My children know that once they start something they will see it to the end. I told this same friend that my daughter’s career goals are to have a Country music hit song and be President of the United States. The friend asked if my daughter had a backup plan. Honestly, I believe if this is God’s will, and she’s obedient, these things that seem unattainable to many, she will achieve. She will succeed because she is that strong-willed child. She will succeed because she will persevere. Like Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight.”
But how do we keep striving, keep going, keep having faith that we will succeed? I believe God knows that as broken people, we need assurances and reassurances. I recently read a Bible study, and the author suggested that Mary, the mother of Jesus, went to her cousin Elizabeth for just such an assurance. And I mean, if anyone needed some encouragement, it had to be Mary. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth exclaimed, “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:45
We all need people like Elizabeth in our lives. Those that will pray for us and encourage us. God puts those people in our lives because He knows we need assurance that we are working for the right goals. Two different women, who I consider mentors have said these same words to me. “You will be successful because you are obedient.”
But when we are serving God and seeking His will for our lives, he gives other nudges, even pats on the back that we are working toward the goal that He wants for us that will best serve Him. The other day He even sent one in the form of a Tweet. Yes, God is on Social Media.
Last Summer, I gave a talk about perseverance which as an aspiring writer is a topic for which I’ve become an expert. However, the week before the talk, I found out that I’d lost a writing competition. Now, I’ve lost before, but this one hit me harder. I was filled with doubt, and in an effort to overcome it, I blared Contemporary Christian music from my car radio and counted my blessings aloud. Then it happened, God gave me a great big bout of encouragement when the radio station announced the verse for the day:
“Be confident that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” Philippians 1:6. This is one of my go to verses, and there it was on the radio. God knew I was struggling, but He didn’t leave me wondering. He said, Leslie, I gave you this gift and this dream, and you just keep being obedient, and one day you will see success.
I love the author Catherine Marshall and highly recommend her books. Her words inspire me. Her husband was a gifted preacher, and when he died unexpectantly, Mrs. Marshall was asked to collect and edit his sermons for a book. This was not an easy task, but she was obedient and went on to be a successful author. These were her words as she began the journey. “If the wish to be a writer was God’s will for me, He would hear me when I asked for the help I needed; and if He heard, then this wish would someday be granted. The timing would be up to Him. So, I sent this particular dream wafting back toward heaven with the confident awareness that He had already heard.”
I know most of you aren’t writers, but you all have work to do—work God has called you for—special work that only you can do. Who encourages you? What scripture gives you assurance? Please share; I’d love to add some more to my bank. We can’t have too many inspirational words, and the verse you love may be exactly the one that someone needs. Please leave your comments on my website so others can see them.
When Moses turned the leadership role over to Joshua, God spoke these powerful words to him as he prepared to conquer and settle the promise land with the Israelites. Let them speak to you as you accept your mission.
For example, this morning, I took my son to his first day of school, leaving me with the entire day to work through my list. I love to make lists, and I absolutely believe in putting things on my list that I’ve either almost finished or will only take a second to finish. It feels so good to draw a line through anything. (Okay, I confess. I even put items on my list that I’ve already done that day. Don’t shake your head. I know I’m not the only one.)
Now as I sit in my car at my son’s soccer practice at eight-fifteen at night, I realize the difference a few minutes in prayer and quiet would have made. Sure, the tasks would still have existed and most would still need to be completed, but I certainly would have had a change of perspective.
The Wind and the Waves
Fun St. Simons Island Fact
Writing Updates
If you follow this blog, you know that I’m supposed to be taking a break from posting while I write a new book, but I need some help. But by the way, I’m halfway done as of today, so yeah! Of course, I’ll be rewriting lots from this first draft. In case your interested, the working title is Love at the Olive Orchard, and like I’ve said before, it takes place in a fictional South Georgia Town. As I’m writing, I find myself in desperate need of some great southern sayings.
As I often say, if nothing else comes out of my writing journey, my children will have witnessed perseverance. They will know what it is to dream big, work hard, stay faithful, and surrender to God’s will. For whatever the outcome, whatever the purpose of our successes and failures, God always works for good.
We have hope when we turn to God for direction. A future following His plan might have interesting twists and turns, but He is always there cheering us on when we need it, providing the right tools, and preparing us to do his work.
Cissy’s eyes drifted up from the dull words of her reading assignment—Killer Angels. No hope for a romantic thread on the battlefield at Gettysburg. She dug her toes under the warm sand. Her surreptitious gaze expertly hidden behind the oversized sunglasses.
Time. What an elusive concept. If you follow me on social media, you know we’ve been on a family road trip for the last few days. (I know we shouldn’t be posting about being away from home, but we have an Eagle Scout for a house sitter and watchful neighbors, but in case you’re the one burglar who reads Christian blogs, we’ll be home by the time you read this, and remember I am from South Georgia.) 
My daughter suggested that we be one of those spontaneous families that stops randomly to see sights along the way. This is the child who hasn’t met a rule she doesn’t love, but I digress. Besides we do make spontaneous stops. Unfortunately, it’s only to visit lovely gas station restrooms because one of my sweethearts didn’t feel like he/she needed to go ten minutes before when we stopped. My brother says that when you’re traveling, every stop takes at least fifteen minutes, no matter what you do, and he’s right. (Don’t tell him I said that.) Those stops, that time adds up, and soon your five-hour trip takes six. (Bet y’all think I’m never going to make a point, but here it comes.)
