In January I felt God gave me a word for the year–persevere.  When I received that word, I knew it was going to be timely.  I had physical therapy ahead of me.  I knew a scary full summer was around the corner.  I knew I needed to get on the ball with self-control in different areas of my life.  Persevere.  It was a word I needed (and still need), but one that left me with a bit of trepidation.

After 9 months, I know I needed that word.  I know I will continue to need it for at least the rest of the year.  I’m pretty sure it will still be timely come January 2012.

I knew I needed to persevere with PT.  After a 6 month hiatus and 2 more surgeries, I’m back at it.  It feels like it’s kicking my behind a little more than it did last spring.  Perhaps it’s because I’m more worn out to start with.  I’m not sure.  I just know I’m tempted to slough off and not do all I’m supposed to do.  I need to keep my word at the forefront of my mind.  If I don’t persevere, it’s not going to be pretty!

Another area of perseverance for me was in the area of weight loss.  I can’t say I’ve made great progress, but I’ve made some.  Every little bit counts, right?

Stewardship?  I’m making strides at better using my time talent and treasure for God’s purposes, but there’s always room for improvement.  I was going to write more about it.  Thankfully I still have a few more months left to persevere in that!  So, get ready to read some more on stewardship.

Summer was the last known area of perseverance for me.  There were interns to find and teach, a new schedule to adjust to, new curriculum to develop, intern housing solutions to discover, and procrastination to avoid.  It was all accomplished–plus some.  A few emergency trips to Florida, lots of new kids to learn, spiritual disciplines to tackle, and a perpetually swollen ankle all added to the need to keep going and not give up.  In many ways it was a tough summer.  In many other ways it was an amazingly glorious summer.  Much of that amazingness was due to my five wonderful interns and all the kids we got to work with; all of the gloriousness* was God’s.

What’s your update?

*Yes, I know it’s not really a word.  It should be.

Photo courtesy of moosepics/Laura Molnar on Creative Commons