Small Steps, Faithful God
Personal training my clients with perimenopause and menopause has taught me something. For many of my clients progress came when they became consistent with their food choices and workouts. They gave their plan time instead of constantly jumping from one thing to another. I often tell them, “Consistency gives results no choice but to show up.” We cannot always control the timing or, exactly what those results will look like but, there is power in continuing to show up."
In our journey with Gabe, we’ve gone back and forth about his cochlear implants.
We’ve wondered about his sensory struggles, his behaviors, and whether he would ever feel comfortable wearing his processors again. There have been so many questions and so many moments when I wondered whether it was time to try again.
Recently, I decided to give it another chance. I put his processor on, and he took it right off. We tried again and again.
It was a morning of back and forth but, I was super patient and determined.
Eventually, he began keeping it on.
He's now wearing his processors regularly and, his teachers and therapists are amazed by the change. Something we had struggled with for so long has become part of his day.
We’re holding on to the hope that maybe, someday, we’ll hear him say “Mama” or “Daddy.” I don’t know when or whether that moment will come but, I know his progress today is worth celebrating.
This experience made me think about consistency in my walk with Christ. How often do I search for another answer while struggling to keep showing up in prayer, trusting God, and doing what He has already placed in front of me?
It is easy to feel encouraged when we can see progress.
Continuing to pray through uncertainty takes something deeper.
It asks us to trust God while we still have questions.
A few weeks ago, Alex and I were talking with his granny about her late husband.
He was a great man and, there are meaningful connections between his life and our family. His birthday falls on our wedding anniversary and, the anniversary of his passing falls on our twins’ birthday.
As she shared memories, she spoke about their early years raising a family.
They had small children, careers to develop, and periods when finances were very limited.
He was working towards a position on the railroad that required schooling and testing. She stated how she would watch the babies so he could study. They were both putting in the work for their family’s future while still managing the needs right in front of them.
She continued to share memories but, there was one that stayed with me that day.
Granny talked about how early in his railroad career he had to leave for a work trip.
In the beginning of the career they had very little money and, he left the few dollars they had with her for the children. He often jokingly called them the “crumb snatchers" and, stated that they would need it more. He went away without money for himself because he wanted to make sure his family had what they needed.
When he arrived for the trip one of his coworkers had food that could last a couple of days.
As Granny told that story, I kept thinking about God’s provision.
A coworker with plenty of food, which she referred to as a picnic basket, became a memory she could still recount years later.
Their story held so much.
It was a husband making sacrifices, a wife caring for their babies while he studied, and two people continuing to build a life through a season that was difficult.
It reminded me that God’s faithfulness has been consistent, time and time again.
There are stories of His provision that began long before our own struggles, and hearing them gives us courage for what we are facing today.
I’m also reminded of this promise:
And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:10
That verse gives me hope when the journey feels long.
I can ask God to strengthen me through the difficult days and help me remain faithful in the responsibilities He has given me.
Consistency with Christ means making room for Him in everyday life and, I do fall short. Some days I’m tired.
Some days I’m discouraged.
Some days I struggle to see beyond what needs to be handled right now.
But I keep coming back.
I’ve seen posts about being rich in life.
Being rich in life means waking up each day, doing something you love, having food to eat, bills paid, and a family you love who loves you back.
When I look at my husband, our children and the life we’re building I see those riches.
We still have challenges and unanswered questions but, there is so much here to be grateful for.
Granny's story reminded me to look at our life with that same gratitude.
There may be seasons when things are tight and progress feels slow.
There may be studying to do, babies to care for, work to finish, and prayers we have prayed more times than we can count.
Through it all, we can keep showing up for each other and keep walking with Christ.
I’m reminded that we have years of God’s faithfulness to look back on.
I’m learning to notice how much He has already given us while I continue praying for what comes next.
He has been dependable through the generations.
I trust Him with ours.
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