Keep on running

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:1-3

As parents, we are always on the go.  Get the kids to school, run errands, clean house, fold laundry, put away laundry, make dinner, help with homework, put pajamas on, get everyone in bed...whew.  Aren't there some days when you feel like you're just running in place, and nothing is happening?  Like the laundry--there's ALWAYS laundry to be done, even when you're putting the last load away in the drawers.

It is so easy to get tired of our vocation as parents.  We feel like we're always running, but never going anywhere.  It would be so easy to say, "I QUIT!" and walk away from it all.  

Imagine how Jesus himself must have felt.  He was out there, proclaiming the Gospel.  At every turn, there He came upon opposition to his preaching.  At the Garden of Gethsemane, He faced the fact that he was about to die for OUR sins.  Yet He never got tired of it.  He kept preaching.  Even that night in the garden, He prayed, "Thy will be done."

God has a plan for all of us.  He knows where we're going in life.  He watches over us as we parent our children.  He is there every step of the way.  It's such a comfort, knowing that we are not alone in this race that we're running.  If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we'll find the way.  We'll never get lost, we'll never run out of energy to keep going.  We throw off those thoughts of quitting, and keep on going.

The prize--eternal life in Heaven--is so worth it, isn't it?

Dear Heavenly Father, I know that parenting isn't easy.  There are days that I don't think I can keep going.  Thank you for your presence.  Thank you for showing me the way when I feel like I'm lost.  Most of all, thank you for sending Your Son to give me the ultimate prize of eternal life in heaven.  In Your name I pray, Amen.