- It doesn't matter who or where we are, life will always ask us to
do hard things. I remember when I was a single mom raising three young girls, working towards my graduate degree, and teaching first-grade full time. I still
can't believe I did it, but I did! It was definitely a joint effort. I relied daily on the grace of God. He was my partner.
One morning in particular, I remember
trying to wake myself up. My eyes felt plastered together and my body was heavy
with exhaustion. I had been up all night typing a paper for class and had slept
about three hours. My three little girls were snoozing away. I needed to get
them up and ready for school. In less than an hour, I would be with 24 energetic, six-year-old children, all
Dear Father, Help! That was my simple and
desperate prayer that morning. His answer was an immediate, clear thought in my
mind. "You can do hard things!" If felt loving, supportive, and
understanding.
That was all I needed to hear that
morning. Of course He knew! The One who suffered all for us all! My Savior knew
what this type of exhaustion and responsibility meant and He so much more. More
than I could ever comprehend. He personally knows me and you and our potential.
And so that became my mantra. Anytime life
seemed to be asking too much of me, I would repeat the words, "I can do
hard things." I would say this sentence five times, each time emphasizing
one of the words; I can
do hard things! I CAN do hard things! I can DO hard things! I can do HARD things! I can do hard THINGS! Saying the words out loud
seemed to have a greater effect. Some mornings I'd start out mumbling and by
the end of my chant, it sounded more like a battle cry.
We are all asked to do hard things at
different times throughout our life. I had to chant my mantra again this morning, but this time in my mind so I wouldn't wake my sleeping husband. It's been a while since I have done that and I am glad it came to my mind when I needed to remember it. I have different "hard" things now, but with God by my side I nothing is
impossible. Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves of this or ask God to help us remember if we forget!
- 10:36 AM
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