Etsy Shop

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

 It was a Monday morning (Mondays. I know.) and I was feeling particularly unsteady, dashing around trying to catch up on things that had fallen behind.  Megan had wet her bed. There were party trays to put away two weeks after the party.  Mount laundry towered high yet again, despite my efforts to keep up.  Several reminders later, Adam continued forgetting his manners at the breakfast table.  While schooling the kids (late start, no less) Luke wrote backwards Ps, an old habit popping in like an unwelcome guest.  Yes, it was just one of those days.  So, I did what I often do in response to those days; I tried to fix it. In a tornado of manic energy, swirling round and round I tried to the fix the Ps, fix the manners, fix the bedding, the party platters, mount laundry...fix, fix, fix. Trying to make all clean and tidy, as if long-term projects could be fixed in mere minutes, and Rome could be built in a day.  But a tornado leaves just one thing in its wake--utter destruction.  I felt it in my heart and worse yet, could see it reflected in the eyes of the kids: I had failed.  Instead of restoring peace and order, my whirlwind of "fixing" had left me completely spent and barren...like a tree bearing no fruit.




Sitting down, wallowing in my own defeat,  I then remembered the prayer I had read earlier that morning:


Divine Teacher, I can be rather picky sometimes, setting up the circumstances and paramenters within which I think you must work.  I can be so self-obsessed, seeing myself as central to all, ignoring what you are doing, slowly and patiently, in this world of human hearts and lives.  The fruits of your spirit are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Today I will live these in gratitude.  Help me be patient with myself and with others when we seem to bear no fruit.  I trust that you are with us and know how to bring about growth in each one.  Amen.  --Ordinary Grace




This.  This is what I had been doing all morning--ignoring God, relying on myself to try and DoItAllRightThisMoment, sprinting like a flailing fool toward the proverbial finish line. Like the classic story The Tortoise and the Hare, I had read to the kids a few weeks back.  The tale that leaves me feeling like a big fat hypocrite, knowing full well that I'm that hare.  But God cares nothing for the fruitless business of hustle and bustle, of hurry and worry and lack of endurance. In His infinite wisdom, He moves slowly, patiently, steadily plodding along in our hearts, working in mysterious ways Ever-present, never failing, God is the tortoise walking inside each of us.
 



And when I feel like that barren tree, picked clean with leaves all shriveled brown on the ground, I know that He is there, working within me, teaching in slow and steady whispers.

 Slow and steady wins the race.




Though I cannot see the finish line, nor when and how the race will end, I can rest in the knowledge that He is here, beating out a path of growth within.  Revealing in bits and pieces His wisdom, alleviating the need to sprint and scurry and spin.  We can rest in Him.  And on the days I feel all wrong, like a backwards P in child's scrawl,  I know that slowly, steadily, He is growing me.  Though the growth is often too slow to see, that Wise Tortoise goes right on walking, performing micro-miracles, day by day, within each of us. It's all just a matter of trust, my word for 2013.


I trust that you are with us, and know how to bring about growth in each one. Amen.


So maybe there's hope for this harried hare, after all?  I continue to trust He will keep on plodding along in my heart, encouraging me to, one day, reach victory.



 I am confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Phil. 1:6 




shared with:

Imperfect Prose

14 comments:

  1. This is so great...I really relate to your feelings and your mountain of laundry and your sinkful of dirty dishes! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the beautiful prayer.

    ReplyDelete
  2. i can relate! I hate Mondays too. but you're right. who knew children's stories would teach us adults some life lessons too lol. Just hang in there

    ReplyDelete
  3. I want you to thank for your time of this wonderful read

    ReplyDelete
  4. This post is really valuable that designed for the new visitors. Pleasing work, keep on writing.
    Marci Shimoff Your Year of Miracles

    ReplyDelete
  5. I hope you'll post it! I wish I could take part in that contest. Thanks. webstagram

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really want to thank Dr Emu for saving my marriage. My wife really treated me badly and left home for almost 3 month this got me sick and confused. Then I told my friend about how my wife has changed towards me then she told me to contact Dr Emu that he will help me bring back my wife and change her back to a good woman. I never believed in all this but I gave it a try. Dr Emu casted a spell of return of love on her, and my wife came back home for forgiveness and today we are happy again. If you are going through any relationship stress or you want back your Ex or Divorce husband you can contact his whatsapp +2347012841542 or email emutemple@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. By embodying the spirit of "Slow and steady wins the race," individuals can develop resilience, overcome obstacles, and achieve their objectives through consistent effort and perseverance. I am looking to corporate governance assignment help. Anyone this topic so please help me.

    ReplyDelete
  8. "Slow and steady wins the race" is a popular proverb that emphasizes the value of patience, persistence, and consistency in achieving success or reaching one's goals. The phrase is often attributed to the fable of "The Tortoise and the Hare," which is one of Aesop's fables dating back to ancient Greece. Currently, I am so confused about my property. I need to cavalli tower in the Dubai. Does anyone please recommend the good and honest dealer in AE.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'd been ignoring God all morning, trusting on myself to DoIt All Right This Moment, running like a flailing idiot towards the figurative finish line. I read the classic ui&ux design agency USA fable The Tortoise and the Hare to the kids a few weeks ago.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Indeed, the saying holds true in the business world of seo article writing service. Be patient, focus on consistent progress, and allow your strategic efforts to deepen over time. It's a journey, not just a destination.

    ReplyDelete
  11. undoubtedly, slow and steady wins the race. However, u need to pace up with time and brush up your skills and shine
    round water pipe to enjoy your depressive time.

    ReplyDelete
  12. As I reflect on the profound words 'I trust that you are with us, and know how to bring about growth in each one. Amen,' it brings to mind the power of Mass Texting,in fostering connection and growth. In today's interconnected world, Mass Texting serves as a powerful tool to unite communities and share meaningful messages.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Slow and steady wins the race. However, we believe in staying fit and healthy. You can
    book telehealth appointment to seek a healthcare help on a phone call.

    ReplyDelete