I would ask all of us to take just a few seconds to visualize the efforts of a child learning how to walk…standing,seating down hard, stand again, make few steps, fall, stand,increase in number of steps, holding onto a table/chair for support, tripping, hitting the head, standing..this goes on till he/she finally walks on their own.
Except for those born with certain disabilities or severe illnesses, we all did pass through this stage. Well, that in my opinion was a hurdle of a much lower level and perhaps God’s way of preparing us for the much higher trials in our future. Preparing us to apply the same principle of trying again and again and again until the door of success opens.
A story that may encourage us is that of Frederick Douglass who was born into slavery in Maryland, United States in 1818. He, however recalls it to be either that year or the year before due to lack of records in those times. And yes, I read his narrative book from Amazon Kindle.
Despite his status as a slave, he yearned to read and write much much later in his life when he was around 12 years old. This desire grew when he moved to a new master’s home in Baltimore and the wife of his master began teaching him the alphabet. He felt it was a vital key to his freedom and better future.
It was an offence during his time to look for such knowledge as a slave and being of black descent yet he devised his own ways to get the fulfillment he longed for despite the consequences it posed and the discouragement the journey came with.
His masters later got rid of any reading material that he had for fear he would become unmanageable and no longer desire to be a slave. The more they acted in this manner, the more curious he became of the wisdom that lay in learning to read and write. He formed friendships with little white children in the streets as he went out for errands that were willing to teach him.
Frederick had already been much disappointed by the life he lived and the related inhumane conditions, not only to his physical self but to his inner emotional man vital for true living.
Any human would get affected to see their loved intensely whipped while bound, some even to death, some get shot, women sexually abused and impregnated, forced separation of mother and child soon after birth, forced separation of family members, denied basic needs like food and shelter in really cold weather and also forced to work long hours and in harsh conditions. But despite those very deep wounds, he was able to recognize a path to his freedom and a better future for himself and fellow slaves.
Not only did he see the chance but grabbed it to see it change his life as he desired. He later gained his freedom and became a Great African American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman before his death on 20th February 1985.
Emphasis for Reflection What are your desires, your longings? What are those fears/concerns that our Father in Heaven cannot deal with? Don’t we ought it to Him for the gift of life and thus not give up? Isn’t He a rewarder of the works of our hands? The lesson to draw from Frederick’s story is the desire to try again despite past disappointments in ones’ life.
This post is for those who desire children and that path has proved unsuccessful for several years now. This is also for those entrepreneurs who have struggling start ups and financial stress is kicking in. Won’t you try again and see that the Lord is faithful?
This post is also for those who on the outside look like everything is working out well, yet deep wounds lie within them that make them lead a life of bondage and slavery. This is for those who put up a face that all is well yet their life experiences have made them feel unworthy of being alive. This is for those who desire freedom!
Yes, disappointments are real and I like every other mortal acknowledges so. It is, however, the steps we take afterwards that will determine the compass direction of our ship called life. For some of us, the fears are only perceived and seen by only us and we end up becoming our own enemies. Noting very well I fall in this category several a times, if not many, God being my witness.
I choose not to focus on the discouragement that past disappointments bring us but to direct us all to the great possibilities that lie ahead if only we take the extra step to stand up again. How beautiful it would be to look back at our trials and realize that God was with us all through even though it may not seem that way currently.
That while we felt hopeless, His grace was sufficient and while we felt helpless, His mercy was new every morning for us. That while we waited, we were actually getting stronger and our faith was forced to increase.
Maybe we just need to hang in there a little bit longer and let the fire refine us to enable us handle the greatness ahead. But also remain hopeful of the day when we will finally fully accept that all things are working out for our good!🙏
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness”Desmond Tutu
#Principleoftryingagainandagainagain
#Hopeforyouandme
