I Am Pressing On

Today is a good day. The sun is shining and it is not too cold. I enjoyed some private time with Jesus this morning. I got my kids to school on time, ate a healthy breakfast which included oatmeal, then I dressed for my exercise workout. That is where my thoughts took over.

I don’t belong to a gym or a take any formal classes. I don’t swim or run. I simply pop in a DVD. To keep myself motivated, I picture many of the women whom I admire in my living room exercising with me. I walk away pounds with my favorites. P. Bunny Wilson, Stormie O’Martian, Sheryl Brady, Darlene Bishop, Trena Jenkins, Priscilla Shirer, Lysa TerKeurst, Beth Moore, and so many others. Yes, they are my cheerleaders.
Surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1), I should be able to finish the program right?

Today was different. I was distracted. My mind wandered away from my famous cheerleaders and my DVD. The tasks I had to complete seemed more important than what I was doing. With each step I became anxious about my “to do” list. I even looked at my watch to see how much longer the DVD would last. Then I heard the women say “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you” (1Cor.6:19). “Take time to care for it.”

I moved to knee lifts….8 more, 4 more…I was getting tired now. I wondered if I should turn it off. As I debated this issue, I heard the ladies again. This time they said “press on”. “Press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Then it hit me! This is how I often approach my marriage and my husband.

I start off pretty good. I move to do the right thing (love, honor, and obey). Then I get distracted. My mind and my heart begin to wander. My “to do list” takes priority over him. I move on one more day, one more day, one more day…. Only now I live with anxiety and frustration. I am getting tired. I began to ask myself if I should just turn it off. How do I turn off?

You know…

I fix dinner but don’t serve his plate.

I welcome my children home with a smile. When he arrives I give him little more than a polite hug.

I interrupt my evening for the children’s bed time routine. I sigh when he interrupts me doing the dishes to share a new idea.

I stop calling him during the day to say hello.

I call on the cell phone when I need him to make a stop on hi sway home.

I complain about the household tasks he forgot to do.

I question him about every decision he makes.

This can be a very long list if I let it BUT…

I hear the ladies. Press on! Press toward the goal of a happy marriage. Press on even when you are tired. Press on and finish the race. I want to win the prize. Don’t you? I hear the Spirit of God telling me to press on.

Have you ever had to press in your marriage just to do the right things? Have you heard the Spirit of God supporting you? I would love to hear your testimony…

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Lisa