Fighting the Good Fight

Some days we wonder why we fight.  The battle is won. Our amazing Savior secured the victory.  Heaven is our home.  So why fight on?  Why strive to do what is right when what is easy is so much.....well, easier?  Why struggle against our nature when giving in is so...natural?  Why be cheerful in the face of adversity when throwing temper tantrums feels so right?  Why fight when victory is ours?

.  Because living like victors means acting like the King.  Because giving up is for quitters, and who wants to be a quitter. Because there is joy in battle and small victories...true, reviving, heart shining joy.  Because those around us will be strengthened, encouraged, and uplifted when our joy rubs up against them.   And because it is the right thing to do.

Lift up the standard of the King and fight on.  Stand strong, and others will rally to your side.   The battle may, at times, be exhausting, but the rewards our worth the struggle. Fight the good fight, never complaining, knowing there is glory in battle for the strong warrior.

p.s.  this is my favorite "battle scene!"  

A Bad Day

Today was a bad day.  I worked ALL day trying to clean house and accomplished very little.  Example, the sheets that were done washing @ 9:35am did not make it into the dryer until my seventh attempt to complete that chore @ 6:30pm.  They were going to go on the clothesline, but......  Many of the days disturbances were caused by my three-year old testing every boundary ever set by parents and God.  Yes, that includes the law of gravity.  In case you are wondering, it is still in effect.  And, it is still not okay to hit your Mom, sister, or the little girl your Mom babysits.  Errands that were supposed to be done by 10:00am were not started until 10:30am because we had to wait on someone else. School started off with six conversations in 60 minutes with my daughter about focus.  By the time she had gained hers, I had lost mine.  My poor husband came home to a woman who was wondering how the bright, healthy, energetic college student who spent her days singing and her nights going to concerts and symphonies had become an overweight, poop scooping, nose wiping, maid, laundress, cook, and nincompoop!

Hero that he is, my husband sent me to my room (how I have longed to be sent to my room!) and made supper....eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy....comfort food.  And then my other hero, my daughter, carried my supper to me on a tray with a homemade place mat that said." 'It Is Well With My Soul.'  I Love You Mom!"  What a beautiful and appropriate reminder from my beautiful and wise little girl. "When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll...."

 Notice at the top I said today WAS a bad day.  Some days, Moms need superheros.  Today I was blessed with that, and what was a bad day turned into a blessed day.  Thank God for people who love me when I am ready to give up, help me pull it together, and remind me that God is still on His throne.  I love this saying:
"The ending is good.  If it is not good, it is not the end."   I hope I will remember that.