Keep on Keeping On!

April 21st—“Keep on Keeping On!”

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
1 Corinthians 15:58

When you feel like quitting, “keep on keeping on” and you’ll get what runners call their second wind. That’s the power which propels them to the finish line and makes them winners. It’s why the Bible says, “Blessed is the mans who perseveres” (James 1:12 NIV).

Ever heard of Thomas Starzl? He became interested in organ transplants as a surgery resident in medical school. In 1958 he sewed new livers into dogs whose livers had been removed, but all of them died within two days of the operation. A year later he found a way to stabilize circulation, and the dogs lived for a week. In March 1963 he performed the first human liver transplant, but his patient bled to death. That failure, and the hepatitis epidemic that spread through artificial transplant centers worldwide during the 1960’s, forced his liver transplant program to be abandoned. But he refused to quit. In 1968 Starzl reported the results from new transplant trials. All seven children involved had survived, although four died within six months—an encouraging, but not stellar result. By 1975 only two liver transplant programs were left in the world. Twenty-three years after he first began, Starzl and his team found success: nineteen out of twenty-two patients lived for long periods. Starzl was criticized, even vilified by the medical establishment. But he persevered. And we should be glad he did. Today liver transplants are routinely performed around the world and people who had no hope are now living happy and productive lives. So, whatever your assignment, “Stand firm. Let nothing move you.”

If this doesn't motivate you to keep going, then something is wrong. Many times I have been getting ready to give up on so many things. Some small spark inside me says..."keep going." Maybe that spark is faith? Maybe it is hope? Not sure. Like The Secret says, we should consider our lives as if we were driving in a car at night time with the headlights on. We can only see the next 200 feet in front of us yet we can make it all the way to another state in the dark. If we have faith that we will get to where we want to be only being able to see little of what is ahead, we will make it to our destination. A light will be made a little at a time. We do not need to see the entire picture or know how...just know we will.

What I am thankful for today:
The Secret CDs which I am borrowing from a friend
my friends
a wonderful walk with Jamie and the kids last night
my children
my pets
my part-time job
inspired action
my health
the health and happiness of my loved ones
laughter
hope
faith
sleep
my appointment at The Healing Place
a clear mind
the sunshine
getting Pappy's flower beds done
music
smiles
love