Day 284 - Keep On

"It should be out in the beginning of next year." 

I have a friend who works in the music industry who has been working on an album for years. Here we are a year after I wrote that statement and it isn't out yet. The process has been grueling but he hasn't given up. He has had every opportunity to. People have stolen from him. He has lost hours and money and time in the process. 

What makes the difference is his determination. Even though he could have quit he never did. He could have just sat down and cried and no one would have blamed him. Through it all he stayed determined. 

I believe because he pushed through and kept going that God opened doors for him that otherwise he would have never had open before. When his album releases he will have more sales and more momentum because of the delay. Isn't that just like God to turn something bad into something good? 

Keep on. If you have had delays to your dream don't stop. It could be that your set back is a set up for something good! 

What is the dream you have been working on? What delays have come and how are you handling them?

Day 211 - The Long Haul

"Only people with longevity get to see those types of things." 

The reward of longevity is seeing goals accomplished. Ask anyone who has weathered a storm or who has stuck it out if they were glad they did. They will tell you that it was tough but totally worth it. 

My father in law has been the pastor of our church for the past 27 years. He took a group of 12 people, most of whom were his family, and today tens of thousands attend our church. A few years ago he told a group of pastors one of the secrets of his success. He told them the reason he was successful when others failed was because he outlasted them. 

The same is true in all areas of life. Don't stop until you reach the goal. Stay in for the long haul. You will be glad you did!

Have you stuck out any storms? What rewards have you seen for staying in for the long haul? 

Day 201 - Pushing On

"We drove to golf and got about five holes in. Jess did exceptionally well. On the fifth hole it rained us out. It actually was hail that was stinging our ears and soaking us. The wind was so strong it was pushing over dad's clubs so I threw them on my back and pushed ahead. He didn't like that but I was fine."

I love how Spurgeon writes that it was by perseverance that the snail reached the ark. It is no different with us. Some things will only get done when we push on. 

If life is tough and the storms rage, push on. When you don't understand and it seems like chaos and confusion, push on. If you don't see the end, push on. You can make it. 

The Bible is right when we read the words 'you have need of endurance'. Life is not a sprint it is a marathon. We win when we finish no matter how short or how long we run. What matters is that we make it to the finish line. The only way to do that is to push on. 

What are some areas you need to push on in your life? How can you do it? 

Day 71 - Long Waits

"My illustrator got me the first proof of Sarah's Silly Sock Day. Seeing it all together makes it so much more real. We have some changes but should be sending the completed book to West Bow Press soon. It is exciting!"

As some of you may or may not know I wrote a children's picture book "Sarah's Silly Sock Day". The book was recently released on Thomas Nelson's indie publishing company West Bow Press. It is doing amazingly well with very little marketing. I am humbled and amazed at the support of my family and friends and church through this process. 

I wrote the words above in quotes a year ago today when my first proof was completed. From that time to my actual submission was a month or so. From the time of my submission to my first printed proof was many more months. I ended up having to resubmit and that process took about a month or so. 

We all can handle setbacks and obstacles. We can even put up with a year of delays. Can I share something with you though? I wrote the book four years ago. Four years. Have you heard the phrase 'hurry up and wait'? That is what it felt like for most of the process. It wasn't easy or cheap and it wasn't always fun. 

If you are going to start doing something like we discussed in yesterday's post then get ready for opposition. Joshua took the promised land with a sword in his hand. There were supernaturally long days and miraculous victories. There were also problems and sin issues he had to deal with. 

I have had plans and prayers that have taken years and even decades. Yet I know that God is working. I am too. 

Don't get discouraged. It is all a part of the process. Anything worth doing is worth the investment of time, pain, waiting and even suffering if that is what it takes. 

Have you had to wait years for dreams, prayers or plans to come through? What help you to endure?

By the way, If you are interested in Sarah's Silly Sock Day you can get it here.