You ever planned to do something and after a while forget that you had planned to do it?
Nah, I’m sure you haven’t. You come across as one of those decent types who tend to stay committed to everything you’ve ever planned. (Wink)
As for me, though, I need to be reminded about some of the commitments I’ve made. That’s why it’s useful for me to make a note of what I’ve planned to do. Then when I’ve made that note, it’s good to be prompted on it and then see if it can be activated or not.
In 2018 so far, having completed the first half, there are definitely some of the plans that have been in operation and working well. One of them was about spending time investing in relationships and enjoying group life. That has been one of the highlights of my year.
One of the key lessons that has been reinforced is the importance of investing substantially in relationships. A new one popped up recently and it’s interesting operating with godly wisdom to work out how best to cultivate and develop it.
Something else I’ve had hammered home in this first half of the year is the importance of perseverance. I tell you something for free, perseverance is such a task. Patience is tough anyway, but perseverance feels like another thing entirely. Keeping on persisting with something that at times becomes so frustrating and aggravating has been a real challenge for me in this first half of the year. I have definitely seriously considered giving up a lot in that time, but thank God for those good relationships that point me back to Jesus to see what His take on the matter is. And He says – persevere. That is not to say He always says that in every issue of life. It’s just what I believe He’s saying in my situation at this time. Wowsers – perseverance, eh. It ain’t easy, but God knows it’s possible by His strength.
In other matters, working out my daughters has taken on a different tilt in the first half of the year. Appreciating them and understanding them becomes more and more important. Especially as their different characteristics emerge both on their own and in the different dynamics their relationships take.
It was really great recalling the 15 years of my marriage to Authrine last month. Quite a journey on reflection. Plenty to learn about the faithfulness of God from it all. The real deal is applying those lessons in developing a better marriage going forward one day at a time.
The first half of 2018 is finished. There’s no guarantees that I’ll make it through the second half. I am hoping, however, as I endeavour to stay close to God, that the second half of the year will be better than the first.
Perhaps some of the notes I made at the start of the year, might come through.
Meanwhile, thanks once more for reading this blog. It means a lot to me knowing that there are readers both receiving this in their inbox or subscribing via WordPress, or just coming across an article and spending the time to read it. There’s a reason I end the entries the way I do. It’s with the hope that whether regular, occasional or a one-off you’ll see that though it’s got my name on it, the blog is not for my glory.
I trust that will continue to be the case going forward in the blogging.
(Photo by Rachael Crowe on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 