Strength to Finish...

Anybody tired as quickly as you start your day? I am SURE that as I ask the question, I can hear all of your voices responding:)
This morning, as we end our first week of daily production and tech rehearsals, my children started a revolt. The echoes of "I don't want to go to school! I want to sleep..." are re-sounding in my mind. If the truth be told, I’m totally with them. I am tired. My mind is spinning with a “to do” list a mile long! I love the stage, I love the way all the loose ends come together and things fall into place… But there is this one moment, albeit brief, when it looks like the uphill part of the journey is just a little more than I want to invest in. (Just speaking TRUTH my Peoples!)
As I was oscillating between cheerleader and drill sergeant to motivate them out the door, I had the reminder that life is FULL of summits. There is the point in the process that causes us to doubt why we took the challenge, why we rose to the occasion, in the first place. We question our motivation and ability to complete the task. I believe the difference between a successful finish, or, giving up the climb, is in this moment.
For me, it always helps to re-evaluate why I chose the journey. I dialogue with myself about my motivation. I weigh the pro’s and con’s, I set rules about biting off more than I can chew for the “next time”, I lay out a game plan to whittle away the bits and pieces to accomplishment… And then I hear a still small voice calling out my name:)
In my own strength, the summit is not a possibility. Every breath I take, every motion performed comes from strength much greater than I am capable of producing. It doesn’t matter if it is the most mundane of tasks, or some great feat. It is always the realization that I am not climbing life’s peaks alone, that brings peace and security to the chaos of my mind.
So today I pray this for my children, for myself, and for all of you lovely ones! Enjoy your moments. After all, in the whole scheme of eternity, they truly are gone before we know it…even the most challenging ones! From The Message, Ephesians 3…
14-19My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
20-21God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.