Tears filled my eyes as I watched a video a
friend had sent me of her one-year-old grandson, who was teetering and
tottering as he walked a short distance across a room in his house. I admired
his determination to walk on feet and legs that weren’t accustomed to standing
and walking.
Unsteady though he was, he was laser-focused
on making it to an area that contained some of his toys. That cute little “knee
high to a grasshopper” fellow knew what he wanted. He went for it. He tossed
aside his doubts and fears. He didn’t criticize himself for not walking
confidently and quickly like the adults around him. Nope. He chose to do the
best he could do and to move toward what he wanted.
Less than an hour later, while paging through
a magazine, I came to an article about the true power of senior dogs. The
accompanying pictures touched my heart, one in particular.
It depicted a chihuahua wearing a metal brace
that was strapped across his mid-section and extended past his hind legs. The
assistive device had wheels and looked as if it weighed about as much as the
little dog. The caption said, “Despite their health woes, senior dogs never
give up. They adapt and move on with life.”
That photo brought to mind a brave little dog my son-in-law found after the dog had been seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver. My son-in-law took the dog to the vet.Miraculously, Buddy survived and appeared happy,
even as he limped along for a couple of months before having to have one of his
rear legs amputated. For several years, he stayed active. But he finally needed
to be carried up and down the steps that led to their backyard where he loved
to lie in the lush green grass and bask in the sun while watching the other
dogs run and play.
Even as his health deteriorated to the point
that the vet said the merciful thing to do was to put the dog down, Buddy
remained his sweet, easy-going, cheerful self. As always, he seemed to smile at
everyone and to enjoy life, despite being in pain.
As I thought about the little boy walking on
wobbly legs, about the dog pictured in the magazine, and about Buddy, I
realized they were giving me an example to follow: Carry on, despite your
circumstances. Adapt. But don’t give up—no matter how hard you must struggle to
get to do what you desire to do and to get to the places you want to go.
Dear Reader, are you dealing with something
that you feel is too hard for you? Do you want to curl up and give up instead
of keep on going? Please don’t give in to those feelings.
Your friends and
family still need you. Even as you struggle, you can still inspire others to
continue on—no matter how hard it is. Those around you need you to show
them that it is possible to go on. Then when they encounter
difficulties, they will remember and follow the courageous example you set for
them.
Let’s resolve to live fully during all the
days the Lord gives us. Whether we’re young or old, whether we’re well or weak,
whether we’re confident or afraid, let’s move forward, thanking God for the
gift of each day, for His presence with us, and for the strength He gives us to
deal with whatever challenges we face.