Production of Laurie’s newest study, Are You A Disciple, has finally begun! So exciting!
I volunteered my amateur services as camera-button-presser and clapper operator. In case you didn’t know, the clapper is that black and white thingy the fancy-pants movie people open and close at the beginning of each shoot. It was fun being “on set” and helping out despite the many delays.
And by delays I mean, donkeys braying, dump trucks roaring by and some crazy wind that was so loud the microphone was picking it up! The number of takes started stacking up and I used the opportunity to perfect my “clapper-girl” skills. I think I can officially put that on my resume!
After 31 takes, the video for week one was finally done. 31 takes! That’s enough to make anyone want to sit down and cry. When we were only a third of the way through all those takes, I was contemplating if we should just quit. Yes, sometimes when things are hard I just really want to quit – don’t you?
After another donkey serenade, Laurie said “I refuse to feel defeated”. And really that’s all it takes – feeling defeated is just as bad as being defeated, because it makes us quit. And if we quit, then we miss out on the proven character and hope that is promised in Romans.
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5
As a mom of three any normal day can feel like it’s full of tribulations for me and I can easily sink into defeat and become the dreaded quitter. In case you doubt me – as I was typing this post, this happened:
Yes, that is my two year old after she sucked on a black marker. Which was probably after she wrote all over her hands with it. Which was after she drew all over the T.V. And now she’s hugging me tightly from behind (also known as the toddler strangle) while I type. Ahem! I will press on!
God has shown me lately that he truly is at work in the difficult times. Instead of laying on the floor waiting for the hard times to pass we can refuse to feel defeated and trust that the Lord is developing character in us. The more we choose to trust in God, the easier it is to be joyful in all of our circumstances.
Now if you will excuse me, I’ve got a toddler and a T.V. to clean up!
