Don’t Quit

Having visited with Jean & Marlo and family tonight, it is refreshing to see the ways that God has kept them and the ways they have been blessed through the care and support of so many. They are trophies of your prayers and your love.
“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” ~ James 1:12 ~

“We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy” ~ James 5:11 ~

And Marlo & Jean still endure. But for the grace of God none of us can come out the other side of trial with shining faith.

There are mixed emotions and subtle pressures to ‘move on’. Two weeks later there is still lots of pain and sorrow, some confusion and possible decisions to be made. As you continue to lift this family before the Lord, ask that they will experience His grace as “sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in your weakness!’ Ask that He will “keep them in perfect peace as they stay their minds on Him”. And ask that Jean & Marlo will remain in the shelter of the most high and wait on him as God will continue to lead and guide them.

The following poem came to mind as I reflected on the journey of this family. May it inspire you too.

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, 
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, 
When the funds are low and the debts are high, 
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, 
When care is pressing you down a bit, 
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns, 
As every one of us sometimes learns, 
And many a failure turns about, 
When he might have won had he stuck it out; 
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow– 
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than, 
It seems to a faint and faltering man, 
Often the struggler has given up, 
When he might have captured the victor’s cup, 
And he learned too late when the night slipped down, 
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out– 
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, 
And you never can tell how close you are, 
It may be near when it seems so far, 
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit– 
It’s when things go wrong that you mus’nt quit.

~ Author unknown ~