EN(dur)ANCE by Robin Gudal

 

I love the wooden box sayings. If you don’t know what I am talking about, they are a thin, usually 1-inch wooden, often black and white framed box with an adage that you can either hang or set around for decoration purposes.

When I walk around my house, I find more than I realized.

Mom life is the best life — truth. The challenge is to always remember this. I am an empty nester and purchased this myself after my kids where all grown up. I just wonder if I would have thought it so endearing whilst? Please don’t take this wrong. I love my children with my all. I just wonder if during four teenagers, a pre-teen and two smaller children in the house, would I have thought my cute box saying was as charming?

I have yet another 1980s framed print that reminds me of a factual truth: Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3 NLT

Focus on the good — truth. We all need this reminder, especially in the era in which we live. It can become a bit wearying. Can you image if we all had this little box and practiced it each day? Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV

Thank you God, for blessing me much more than I deserve — truth. I love the saying, “But by the grace of God, there go I.” This is credited to the English evangelical preacher and martyr John Bradford (circa 1510–1555). He is said to have uttered the variant of the expression “There but for the grace of God, goes John Bradford” when seeing criminals being led to the scaffold. May I and you once again be challenged to do better each day we are given breath.

Faith makes things possible, not easy — truth. I really lean on this one. When trouble, hardship and disappointment, as is life, come, I need to remember to not be faint-hearted. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 NIV

Lastly, years prior to the popular style, I have a little wooden desk plaque that states, “Keep me going, Lord” — truth. This is a prayer, a humble and powerful prayer!

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV

So much wooden box gospel!

I once walked into a young entrepreneur’s office; she had a whole wall — I mean the whole wall graced with such wisdom. Her desk was positioned so she couldn’t help but see the truth and wisdom displayed. I pondered: did that help change the trajectory of her days, her weeks, her parenting, her relationship with others, her career, even her faith? I don’t believe they were merely decorations upon her walls, I think she had a more profound purpose.

I pray my trimmings and yours, after this day, take on more life, more truth, more purposefulness.

Robin (Beckman) Gudal, intentional in life, is a wife, momma, nana, friend and a flawed and imperfect follower of Jesus.