Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Saturday, October 13, 2012

What Does Perseverance Look Like?

Men, like nails, lose their usefulness
when they lose direction and begin to bend.
Walter Savage Landon

Looking back at this week I have to sum it up with the word perseverance.  I didn't realize perseverance had been the character quality of this past week, until during my morning reading I read examples of those that persevered.  People's stories inspire me forward...to press on.

  • Albert Einstein's PhD was rejected, it was called "irrelevant and fanciful"
  • Abraham Lincoln lost eight elections, failed at business, before becoming President
  • Thomas Edison's efforts with creating the incandescent lamp were unsuccessful over 1000 times
  • Henry Ford faced bankruptcy three times before succeeding with mass production of the automobile
  • Author John Creasey was rejected 753 times before his work was accepted and finally published into 564 books
The Ultimate Self-Help Book - 31 Days in Proverbs - Al Fike

"Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.  Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path" Prov. 4;25-26

Google image... Charlotte's Web was finished this week...and that is me in the purple!


How did perseverance play out in my life this week - what was its face?
  • I continued to exercise - even though the scales are not kind to my efforts I pushed myself out to continue for my health and strength - I would love to see a change before the weddings, but if not, I know it is good for my health and my mental outlook
  • I continued to push through with our home schooling - even though my mind kept wanting to jump to other issues, how to solve other problems - I relaxed in the joy of Benjamin's learning, I counted our accomplishments and saw we were achieving the goal of a good education
  • I pushed forward with developing my business - even though income from it is not coming yet, I am learning - I went out to expand my decorating knowledge and gathered resources for my decorating blog
  • I continued in the race - even when I wanted to throw up my hands and give up, I stepped out of bed each day to move forward
  • I allowed myself to continue to dream - why not?  
  • I read books on others who have persevered through life's curve balls with testimonies of humor, forgiveness and grace
  1. A Marriage Made in Heaven or Too Tired for an Affair - Erma Bombeck
  2. A Century of Wisdom - Lessons from the Life of Alice Herz-Sommer, the World's Oldest Living Holocaust Survivor - Caroline Stoessinger
  • I recounted God's abundance instead of listening to the enemy only recount lack
I want to honor God through my accomplishments.  I want to live an adventure.  I want to use all that God has given me and not be wasteful.  As in the story of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30), I don't want to be found hiding mine just because I would not persevere.

24 Joining in with more words:

Catherine said...

Dearest Janette, Amen to your post. It is not an accident that I read this post early in the day this Saturday. It gave me hope.. Thank you dear Janette and blessings, I will keep you in my prayers. Catherine xoxo

Debbie Petras said...

You are focusing on good things Janette. Take one day at a time. We are in this race for the long haul; long distance runners not sprinters. Depend on Him for each moment.

Love you,
Debbie

Angela said...

I know how hard it is to keep going. I really admire and am inspired by your perseverance, and have been for as long as our friendship. As for the exercise, you know I have the same issues. But it has really helped my blood pressure, so hopefully our insides are improving.

Ginny Marie said...

Oh, those piglets are just too cute for words! I'm glad you keep persevering. I need to remember to do the same! Plus, I think I need to read the books you are reading--both sound great, and of course Erma Bombeck makes me laugh!

Leslie @ Farm Fresh Fun said...

I know you; you'll always persevere and inspire us all to keep going as well! This is one of my favorite posts. I remember reading too about Mary Engelbreit's many rejections... My own dear mother told me on several occasions to give up my dreams for riding and farm life. I am blessed that God keeps pushing me forward and I AM living my dreams. You WILL TOO!
xoxoxoxoxo
Leslie

Sally said...

I like the pig picture.

It often takes hindsight to see what we have accomplished through God's grace, and that's okay, cause it keeps us going forward through what we don't see and have trouble understanding. Stay strong.

Anonymous said...

Janette,
You are truly persevering. You are depending on our Source, our Rock, our Provider, and as you do, you are such an encouragement!
God bless you and yours.

myletterstoemily said...

i would certainly call that perseverence!
the Lord will honor this. i pray for His
blessing on your family and your designing
business.

mostly i pray for joy and hope to flood
your heart.

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Strong work, Janette.

Debbie said...

Love the picture of the piglets running...perfect. : ) Your perseverance and hope are contagious and inspiring to more than you know...We face each day as it comes, and remember He ALWAYS gives us the strength and grace we need.

Still praying over here!

Vee said...

You are a testimony of "keep on keeping on." Did Benjamin like Charlotte's Web? I hope so! What a cute picture.

Lisa said...

Janette,
I think we are all learning that our hope and provision come from the Lord, that we can not rely on our job or circumstances or political party and that is good news. I love that you are keeping your mind on Him and His goodness and that He is encouraging you through the testimony of others. I am praying for a great breakthrough for you.:)

Sandy said...

I just love Charlotte's Web. Seth and I read it in our home school years ago, saw the movie, too. You are a joy and an inspiration, Janette. I know your "keep on keeping on" attitude is going to pay off. You and yours are in my prayers.
Hugs~
Love the piggies!

Thoughts for the day said...

That picture is adorable, and run with a zeal in your heart and a will to accomplish great things. You can do it.

camp and cottage living said...

Janette
With your faith and your perserverance it will come to pass!

Pom Pom said...

Hooray for you, dear follower of the KING!
GREAT post!

Pom Pom said...

Hooray for you, dear follower of the KING!
GREAT post!

Farm Girl said...

A very thought provoking post and filled with all kinds of good things. I am thankful you put it down and it makes thinks look better put like you wrote it.
Just never give up. Even if you are tired and weary, Jesus says, " Come unto me all you who are tired and weary and I will give you rest." He told me that this week. :)
Blessings my friend.

Rebecca said...

I'm cheering for you, Janette! Just writing the post helps seal your intention & determination, doesn't it? (At least it does for me when I put to paper the prayers and - yes - dreams that God has planted in me and confirmed in His Word.

"Saints are sinners who kept on going."~ Robert Louis Stevenson


"Never, never, never give up!"
~ Winston Churchill



Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Oh, Jeanette, I think if I looked up the definition of perserverance in Webster's that your picture would likely be there. Blessings and prayers being sent your way my friend!

Crown of Beauty said...

I enjoyed this post, Janette. Perseverance is the one quality that will help us endure to the end... and overcome.

I love the fact that you are reading a book written by a holocaust survivor. These past days, I've been reading up about the great deception of truth - there's a historical reconstruction and revision about the holocaust... a move gaining popularity that seeks to deny that the holocaust ever happened.

Jesus is coming soon, to tip the scales in the favor of His people.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I just love these little pigs. Makes me almost say yes to my youngest whose begging me...can we get one.
Your post really pumped me. Loved reading about those who tried and failed and tried and kept trying. Love that. And your own efforts...hey can you hear me cheering you on....You go, Girl...You shine and everytime you miss the mark....you still shine. Have an incredible week.

Crickit said...

Perseverance always pays off! Good job my friend!

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

Janette, God has spoken through you. After being called the second time by an employer to apply for a position I held for 18 mos as a temp, and then not being selected for the second time, my self-esteem was at a very low point.

The HR at my current temp position brought a job description to me for another company (this temp company has a hiring freeze)she felt would be a good match.

However, after his last application fiasco, and the 40 some dead ends of other applications, I was hesitant to try again. She encouraged me, stating this company was very professional and she highly recommended them, and told me to use her as a reference.

I applied, but I am having a hard time mustering any hope. Your post has encouraged met, ministered to me, and given me hope once again.

I have read John Creasy books. I did not realize he was turned down that many times, and yet kept trying. Amazing. I knew about Thomas Edison, but not about Einstein. Fascinating. Thank you for sharing!

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