I recently went to Paddle and Climb, a store in downtown Sandusky that rents paddleboards and kayaks, sells sporting equipment and clothes, and has a 32′ rock wall for climbing. That was the purpose of my birthday outing with friends, to scale the wall, (‘Rocky’ music playing in your head right now would be appropriate). Chad helped us that day and gave good advice, helpful tips, and encouragement along the way. One rock face was particularly challenging for me, and I didn’t make it to the top. When I was tired and ready to give up, Chad said, “Don’t quit now, you can do this.” He even climbed with me, encouraging me as I went. With the support of my helpful guide, I successfully made it to the top.
The challenges we face in life can make us feel like quitting too. But we don’t have to face any of them alone! God wants to walk beside us: giving advice, helpful tips, and encouragement along the way. “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame…” (Isaiah 58:11, NIV) When we’re not sure what to do next, we can listen for his voice. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” (Isaiah 30:21, NIV) Sometimes we’re just tired and feel we don’t have what it takes to keep going. God has a remedy for those days too. “The LORD gives strength to those who are weary. Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. But those who trust the LORD will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired. ” (Isaiah 40:29-31, CEV) With the support of our helpful guide, we can keep going!
Things to do today:
Read a similar blog called ‘Stay in the Fight’ and listen to songs ‘Overcomer’ and ‘Don’t Give Up.’
There are times in life when it’s best to take the advice of a popular Disney song and ‘Let It Go.’ My family had a large garage sale this weekend and we followed that mantra. We decided to stop holding on to things that we no longer needed. Six different families contributed to the sale at my mom’s and tables were filled with kitchen items, house décor, and small appliances. Outdoor and indoor furniture pieces were strategically placed in the driveway while adult clothes were draped in the garage. One entire area of the driveway was filled with everything baby: stroller, clothes, stuffed animals, and numerous musical toys. Although the sale was a plethora of different items, they all had one thing in common: it was time for them to go.
My class walked to the library early this morning in a light rain with warm air. Since we weren’t dealing with a cold wind and pelting, unforgiving rain, it was a bit of an adventure. About an hour later, however, everything changed. The next class walked in a thick fog with significantly colder air. That walk to the library wasn’t enjoyable; we put our heads down and marched determinedly on. Thankfully, the cool and damp air was soon forgotten in the light and warmth of the library.
Not surprisingly, we’ve had another shift in weather in northwest Ohio. We had fierce winds the other night and those winds left behind colder temperatures and an obvious chill in the air. My furnace is running constantly, trying to keep up with the sudden change. Despite the cold, when I look out my windows the sun is shining brightly. And even though there was snow on the ground this morning, I can see the tiniest buds sneaking out on the branches of the trees in my yard. Spring is on the way.
When I’m in a Zumba class, sometimes I don’t think I’ll make it all the way to the end. I’ll cruise through the warm-up, make it through 3 or 4 songs, and then somewhere in the middle I question my sanity for being there. (To be completely honest, there have been people who have questioned my sanity in other areas of my life, but that’s another story…) I know I’m not alone in my exhaustion, because I see people glancing at the clock and peeking at their watches. Just when I’m thinking of an excuse to sneak out of class, I hear my favorite words, “Last song.” It’s amazing how that changes my attitude. Instead of quitting, I finished!
The weather in this part of Ohio has been unusually warm for this time of year. Normally we experience temperatures in the 20’s and 30’s with various amounts of snow and wind. But this week brought open windows and fresh air, culminating with a day of sunshine and 70 degrees. People couldn’t help slipping into t-shirts and heading outside. Spirits lifted as the gray days of winter seemed to fade away. Unfortunately, the temperatures dropped and the winds picked up overnight, and flying by my window right now I see snow. It can be a little discouraging to feel spring so close only to have it snatched right back. But guess what? As the wind sways the trees and snow sprinkles my landscaping, peeking out of the soil is a spring flower. Do you know it’s name? It’s called hope.
There’s always a little uncertainty about winter weather in Ohio. One forecast calls for tons of snow; another predicts we will have little snow but frigid temperatures. Quite frankly, I just want to know if I should be preparing my ‘snow-shoveling muscles.’ (I’m not even sure if I have any. I wonder if I can buy them on Amazon?) A few years back I remember opening my garage door and having the snow reach my shoulders, which completely ended the thought of going anywhere, and totally changed all plans for that day. Is it too much to ask what to expect? Is it too much to want to get ready for any contingency?
The wind is blowing fiercely today on the eve of the New Year. Maybe Mother Nature wants to make a parting statement when the rest of the world is simply looking forward to a new beginning. A meteorologist could explain where the wind gets its strength, but he probably couldn’t tell us where to get it when we need it. If the previous year left you tired, a little broken and on your knees, there is a place you can go to refuel. 
The wind was at my back today as I set out for a ride on the trail. With the sun in my face and a bright blue sky above me, my attitude soared with each passing mile. Fall’s splendor surrounded me in gorgeous displays of color. When I made the turn to come home however, the ride became decidedly harder. It seemed like everything conspired against me to keep me from my destination: the wind at my face, fatigue, and a steady rise in the road. I wanted to stop and rest but instead I put my head down, pushed on, and hoped to make it to my house as soon as possible. Then suddenly it happened, I turned onto my street, and I was never happier to see my driveway leading me into my home.
If I want a picture of steadfastness, I know where to go. The Sentinels who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. fit the picture. They protect the tomb in every kind of weather-including torrential rains, blizzards, and Washington’s relentlessly hot summers. The Sentinels are completely dedicated to their mission-guarding and ‘watching the back’ of the unknown soldier. The Society of the Honor Guard reports: “It gets cold, it gets hot and the mission continues as it has unbroken since 1937.” Just imagine, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every minute of every day and every minute of every night, standing firm. The Sentinels exemplify Corinthians 4:2, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”