Well, we all grow up and realize the world of pretend is a lot easier than the real deal. Our struggles begin with walking, talking, and being potty-trained. Those things don’t sound that serious, but to a child, they are monumental. Without those skills, the rest of life will elude us. Some children cannot talk or walk, so we need to be very thankful that we are blessed with these gifts. Lord, thank you for giving me a mom and dad who taught me so many things. Not just how to walk and talk, but about life and its principles.
When we enter school, we are taught that letters on a piece of paper make words. It is such a foreign concept. We also learn how to use numbers to add and subtract, and one day we discover that those same letters we used to read can represent numbers. What sense does that make? Without the struggle of learning to read or to add and subtract, the rest of my education would not have been possible. I have had so many teachers over my lifetime. They were so patient with me. I wasn’t someone who learned easily. I studied many hours doing homework and studying for tests. Perhaps that is why I am a decent teacher today. Lord, thank you for the teachers that you put in my life. The first ones were my parents, then the many other people you have put into my path, and most of all, my husband. Without them, I would not be serving as a teacher today.
I have also learned many things from books and other forms of literature. Before I got married, I read about being a good wife. When I became a mother, I read profusely. I read Christian books about raising infants to raising teenagers. As I came across different challenges in teaching, I read about various ways to reach children academically as well as behaviorally. The greatest source of wisdom is found in God’s Word. There is no area of life that the Scriptures do not address. “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6. It is just sad that it has taken me so long to learn some things. Thank you, Lord, for the sacrifices and the struggles of the people who made your written Word possible.
As I travel through the memories of my life, I would be remiss if I did not thank the Lord for the struggles. It took a while, but I have learned that the way we handle the lessons that cross our paths will determine in which direction we grow. Whether we become a strong oak, a wilted flower, or a briar that hurts those in our paths is totally up to us. Our struggles will make us bitter or better. What choices are we going to make?
I have not always made the right choices, but I have learned quite a bit over my life. My parents always taught me I could do anything I put my mind to. They pushed me to be better than I was. I worked 30 hours a week, went to college full-time, and was active in church. I had to learn how to budget money and time and stay faithful to God. This may not sound important to you, but it prepared me for even bigger challenges I would face down the road.
As life progressed, I learned more and more that the only way I could do anything was if the Lord held my hand and carried me through. Throughout our marriage, there have been times when the cupboards were bare. My husband has always had tremendous faith, and many times, I hung on to his coattail. We trusted God to supply, and He never let us down. We were very frugal; our Lord stretched what we had, and our family never missed a meal. Likewise, in the ministry, there have been lean times. When we started the school and the radio station, we did not know where the money was coming from, but God always provided each step of the way. We never saw miles down the road, but just inch by inch. We have seen God provide through floods and lightning strikes. Thank you, Lord, for the struggles in the lean times that helped us to trust You.
In all of our lives, we experience emotional struggles that test our faith. A loved one is sick, and we aren’t sure if they are going to make it. We have a rebellious child who is distant from God, and we don’t know how to reach them. People in our lives are hurting, and we can’t help them. The circumstances are far beyond our control. I have had many difficult experiences over the years. Thank you, God, for allowing me to grow through life’s experiences.
I have observed many people over the years. Some have become very bitter and angry, while others seem sweet and kind even when they are hurting. Pondering over the different individuals and what makes each of them different, I realize there is one thing that stands out. They have taken the first and second commandments seriously and have grown so much that they put these principles into practice every day.
“Jesus said unto them, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Matthew 26:37-39
These beautiful saints strive to love God more than anything else in their lives, which makes the second commandment fall right into place. They love others more than themselves. So, every decision and action they make is filtered through their love for God and their love for others. They are not selfish because they love others more than themselves.
Thank you, Lord, for the people who have shown me by their lives how to handle hardships and struggles. May I never grow bitter or angry because of difficulties. May I grow closer to you with each problem that I face? May my life show your love wherever I go.
I don’t want to be a grumpy old person. I want to be someone who lets Jesus shine in their life each day. What type of person do you want to be? It is a choice!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Dr. Worthington has five children and twelve grandchildren. She serves as Principal of Pathway Christian Academy in Goldsboro.