a season of enduring
by Elizabeth de Barros
PC: Donna Bearden
“Remember David and all the hardships he endured.”
— Psalm 132:1
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The medal for endurance is not something you start out with. It’s no token for incentive, like a rabbit’s foot or a lucky coin. It’s what you end up with after having lived through your own personal Holocaust. Or Vietnam. Ziklag has its offerings, too. It comes after all has been lost.
But what is it really? What’s it made of?
Is it determination of the will? Surviving against the odds?
These may be aspects to the business of enduring, but they are not it.
Endurance is something you discover after the harsh winter has run its course and weathered your soul through to spring, when the hands of God cup your face and He whispers, “It’s over.” When the adrenaline stops pumping and hot tears are pouring down your cheeks mingled with the ache and agony of having run so hard for so long. Exhilaration takes another breath.
Something you win after you’ve won.
“There’s a rose garden in a park, and the rose bushes were never trimmed back. From a distance, I noticed the straggly bushes and unkempt look of the place. But when I wandered over, I was left in wonder as I found one beauty after another in the buds that were left to dry naturally.” — Donna Bearden
‘when the hands of God cup your face…’
Oh! What greater treasure can there be? What greater medal?
I saw your title of Endurance and just had to read. I did not start my trial with cancer wanting to be a warrior, but praying for God’s will brought me to believe that no matter the outcome of this, I would be OK! I was safe in His arms either way. For the next 3 years, I have faced not only cancer, but the after effects of my treatments and finally being confined to a wheelchair for 7 months. Through it all, my Lord was with me. He didn’t promise us an easy life, but he did promise us an eternal life in glory with Him!
Love what you wrote here, Liz. Can relate in many ways. Thanks for sharing in such a beautiful way.
xXxooo Christina
Thank you, Christina. So glad it spoke to you. You’ve been on my heart. We must catch up soon.