CafeSharon

“The man who forms the habit of beginning without finishing has simply formed the habit of failure.”  Streams in the Desert    It has often been said that hardest step in completing anything is the first one.  But I am not so sure about that!  There are many edifices (Monsour Hospital in Jeannette) that began with great fervor.  But somewhere along the way, the “excitement” of the finished project is lost.  The “fun” in the work is no longer there.  This happens often on short-term missions trips.  Everyone is enthusiastic and motivated until the first case of “Montezuma’s revenge” hits.  Then the rest of the time is set “just enduring”. 

 

This journey called “life” is sometimes a struggle.   I am praying today that I will complete what God has set before me; that I will continue even when the excitement is not what it used to be!  Because the prize is in the finishing!

 

I never completed my college education.  I have less than one year to go…but I quit before I received the prize.  I have regrets about that.  But it has made me realize the need to finish what I begin.  I don’t want to be a quitter.  I want to be a finisher.  I want to finish well!  How about you?

 

 

Twenty-four years ago, God gave to Paul and me a precious gift, Natasha.  This past Thursday, she graduated from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri.  She is the MOST determined young woman I have ever met.  She has taught me so much about perseverance.  She is incredible when she puts her mind to something! 

 

Graduation was more than I could have ever expected.  I knew that I would cry, and I did.  I knew I would be excited, and I was.  I knew that I pride would make me want to “burst a button”, and it did!  But also, I am finding myself anticipating the wonderful journey that God is taking Tasha.  He has great plans for her.  Not just plans for the future, but plans for right now.  Watch out world, HERE SHE COMES!  NOTHING will stop her! 

 

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”    Romans 8:38, 39

Some things in life are simply what they appear to be.  (What a profound statement!) 

 

Last weekend, while we were entertaining a few young couples in our home, two people, who will remain nameless (Beckman and Malllory), snuck onto our driveway and outlined the body of a “dead” person.  They then wrapped yellow police tape around the driveway.  It appeared to be a crime scene!  When we came out of the house, around 10 pm, we found it to be really funny!  Of course, we knew exactly who had done it.  And of course, I had to “one up them”.  Sunday morning I wrote a name in the chalked off form of the body, and then put flowers around it as a “memorial”. 

 

One neighbor thought it was a crime scene.  Another thought we were making a statement about abortion.  But in reality, none of it had any significance.  It was simply a funny joke!  And I want to take my hat off to Beckman and Malllory.  That was a good one!  You got me!