Quote

I read a powerful quote the other day. Its so simple yet it impacted me in a big way. It is a Roman proverb that goes like this: "When you lose your sails, row.".

I don't know why but this simple phrase seriously stuck with me. Its so true in all of life, in particular I was struck by how it applies to marriage. Sometimes things are going great, we have the wind in our sails moving us forward. And other times things are rocky, there is turbulence. Should we jump ship? Should we hide in the galley hoping to avoid dealing with what is going on? No! We put in the hard work of rowing and pushing forward even though things are hard. We persevere even when we want to give up.

Life isn't easy, marriage isn't easy. But when hard times come we have the choice to give up or press on. And while sometimes I am tempted to abandon hope, ultimately I choose instead to cling to hope. Because that is what He wants us to do and that is what I hope to teach my children to do as well.

Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

1 Corinthians 13:6-7 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.