To quit or not to quit?

If there is one thing I would say about myself it would be that I am not a quitter. I don't believe in quitting something once you start it. That's not to say that there are not times and seasons for different opportunities but starting and quitting is out of the question. 

So this past weekend when my mom suggested I put Lilah back in diapers something within me rose up again! Quit? I think not. Mostly because I feel like we are almost there, almost potty trained. Going back now would require me to start over from the beginning at a later date. I don't think so. 

Potty training Lilah Jane has been more difficult that potty training anyone else, even when I had to do two at once. Lilah is much more strong willed than my other kids but she also is trying to potty train at the ballpark most weekends. Let me just tell you it is no fun at all. We have had many an accident at the ball park, Lilah has mastered the art of peeing in the grass and pulling down her pants in front of everyone.  It has been quite a treat. 

Lilah in all her dirty glory...after a day at the ballpark

I like to think that I try and learn from my struggles in life, I am sure there is a lesson to be learned in the midst of this current situation. 

 Here is what I can come up with.... Quitting to soon is why many of us miss opportunities in our lives. Often when we quit it causes us to have to start again at the beginning. That is why it feels like it takes forever to get to your destination. So often we quit just before we see results. Quitting and starting over and over again when in reality if we could just stick with something we would eventually see results. A good example in my own life is diet and exercise.

Exhibit A The bucket of cake trimmings that I ate most of :(

I have always been active, sometimes more than others. As I mentioned a few weeks ago I recently began training for a race in November. I have realized that I am severely out of shape. What used to be easy for me is now incredibly difficult. The reason it is so hard is because I quit running for a season. I am starting from the beginning. I also have a serious sweet tooth. I quit eating sugar recently and guess what; I started again, with a vengeance. I could only eat sweets all day long and be perfectly happy.  Sticking with something is hard. Quitting is easier. 

I know in my life that it is a choice not to quit hoping and believing for things. It would be easier to quit hoping, it would be less disappointing to quit believing for things to change. I have been so tempted to give into that feeling. There was a day not to long ago that I decided to quit, to give up and to settle for a mediocre life. That was the day God showed me this verse…Romans 5:3-6

 “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”

A hope in Jesus will never lead me to disappointment. If I can hold on I will see Jesus show up. I know it is hard not to give up and quit, but I love here where it says “Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” He came at just the right time, just like He always does. Don’t lose hope in what you are believing for, don’t give up and don’t quit. Jesus Christ comes at just the right time to save us.