Persevere

   Today I am blessed to spend some time with my younger brother and my little cousin. Children are so full of wonder and imagination. I love the carefree way they view life. It is sometimes fun to step into that role for a bit and experience the wonder of this world with them. They are amazed by the littlest things and are always finding something to laugh about. They are so passionate and focused on what they are doing in that minute, not worrying about what the next minute will bring. I have enjoyed just sitting here watching them as they play. They are so adorable and so full of life.
  Something that has been on my mind lately is perseverance. I am on spring break right now and at some point each day of break so far, I have thought about all the things I need to do when I go back to school. Lately, I have been slightly overwhelmed by different situations in my life and circumstances happening around me. It has been difficult for me to push forward at times. God has been reassuring me that He is with me and with the strength that He provides; I will be able to persevere. 
   I was discussing with my mom earlier this week the tragedy in this world and the brokenness of it. Without my Savior and the hope I have in Him, I would have absolutely no motivation or reason to have any. God puts purpose in our lives and a reason for us to push forward, despite the circumstances we may be in. When we reach those points in life where we feel hopeless, God reminds us of the hope that we have in Him. When we are weak, God provides us with the strength we need for each day. When we want to give up, God restores the passion and courage in us to persevere. 

   Our God is a God of peace, of hope, of life. He has plans for each of us and desires for us to seek Him as He reveals those plans to us. God knew we would experience weariness and sadness many times in this life, but He made a way so we may have hope in Him. This life can leave us feeling tired, worried, and overwhelmed. It can leave us feeling like we aren't good enough or strong enough; this would be true without our Savior. But the good news is our God cares for us and has made us perfect in Him. With Him, we are strong. With Him, we are a new creation, perfect and blameless. With Him, we are able to persevere.