Progress

       You know how at the end of a tale they say, "And the moral of the story is..." Well I've been thinking of life lately and what one such lesson might be. There are three stories I would like to share and they all share a common "moral of the story."
       First: My in-laws have a puppy named Miss Amos. According to my husband, one of her favorite things to do is sit by the wood pile and hope beyond all hope that the mysterious chipmunk living there will make an appearance. Once I asked my Husband if she has ever caught anything. He said that so far, she has caught nothing, but she's never stopped trying.
       Second: A month ago my husband took on the job of painting our car. That means taking it apart, fixing rust, filling dents, sanding it down and then primer and paint. At first we thought this would be a simple 1-2 week project and now, a month later we are still working. There have been days when my husband has been so discouraged because every where he turned there was something else he needed to fix before moving on. 
    Third: I am in my last year of school and there are days when all I want to do is throw my hands up and forget it all. Especially when the homework comes piling in. It feels like I have a to-do list that has no end and that can be so overwhelming.
     So you might ask, as what do these stories have in common? Well the other day the thought occurred to me that as long as you are not going backwards or standing still, you are making progress. Sometimes the forward movement seems ridiculously slow or even non existent. But, as long as you are trying, you are making progress. Sometimes progress can be hidden because at times you may have to take a step back in order to keep moving forward. But no matter how slow, impossible or hard something may seem, don't give up. Don't stand still and never stop trying.
       So, whether your feat is a car to paint, homework to do, an impossible circumstance or something as simple as making it through the day, don't stop moving. There will be times that you need to take a break, allow yourself to rest or get refocused and that is okay, just don't give up. Never stop chasing your dreams or believing in the impossible. Don't give up hope, because the One who gave you life is right there beside you and He desires that you accomplish your goals, achieve your dreams and live fully. So the moral of the story is, "As long as you are not standing still or moving backwards, you are making progress." Have a great day.

"I am a slow walker, but I never walk back." ~Abraham Lincoln.