September | Perseverance
Perseverance is persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
Hard (good) things are worth doing.
“Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great tests. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials.” Alex Harris, co-author of Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations
Valuable Verses
“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.”
2 Thessalonians 3:13
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:1-3
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1: 2-4
A Word of Encouragement
Have you ever taken piano lessons or do you know someone who has? Did they want to quit after a short time?
When our children were younger and taking piano lessons, it was hard for everyone. Each week, I drove them to lessons (three hours counting travel), then each child practiced for 30-45 minutes each day (45-60 minutes each if you count the time spent reminding them to practice). Finally, they would share their music with others at recitals and nursing homes. Piano lessons never stopped, not even over the summer. They took a lot of time, patience, energy and perseverance.
Since I never learned to play an instrument, I really wanted my children to have the opportunity. Plus, I have never met an adult who was happy they talked their parents into letting them STOP piano lessons, so our family was committed to piano lessons. We didn’t expect them to be professional musicians, but we knew music lessons taught so much more than just how to play “Arabesque No. 1” by Debussy or “Nocturne in C# Minor” by Chopin. In the end, they love everything piano lessons taught them and music is a part of their lives.
Although it was hard, and it took a lot of time, our family learned that practice makes progress. Today, piano lessons are our example of perseverance and to do hard things for God and others.
Get the Conversation Going
Take a moment to discuss these questions as a family:
• Name something that you want to learn to do? Will it be easy or hard? How long will it take to learn?
• When things get hard, what two or three things can we do to keep going and not give up?
• How can we as a family prepare (practice) to share love like Jesus? Add it to your calendar for the next 3, 6, 12 months.
• In July, one Family Values conversation question was, “What are some ways our family can make sacrifices for others?” How can your family demonstrate perseverance and continue to sacrifice for others?
Pray about what path God has you on this week? this month? this school year?
Be sure to check the monthly activity page for age-appropriate ideas related to perseverance.
