Sometimes it’s hard to keep going, isn’t it? Or even to GET going. Maybe you’re not feeling particularly appreciated today. Maybe the road in front of you seems sooooooo long. Maybe you’ve suffered a severe setback. How will you recharge your batteries?
My dear father used to “wind me up.” He’d gently twist his hand in the middle of my back as if he were winding up our Grandfather Clock. “You can do it, Jory. You can do it.” This from a man who was born on a donkey farm in Oxford, Alabama, yet rose to the rank of Commodore, Service Force Sixth Fleet in the United States Navy. He knew what he was talking about!
I’ll never forget how miserable I felt after failing the Virginia bar exam. “Just get back on that horse again, Jory. You can do it.” “I don’t even want to see that horse again, much less get back up on it!” I tear up just thinking about my spirited response. Dad passed away in 1999, but his unending belief in me and his sweet words of encouragement spur me on even now. (He was right. I got back up on that horse; studied arduously for three more long, boring months; and passed with flying colors. Deed done. With prayer and perseverance.)
The Egyptian Pyramids. The Roman Coliseum. Perseverance. Abraham Lincoln. Martin Luther King, Jr. Perseverance. Nelson Mandela. Mahatma Gandhi. Perseverance. Dorothy Day. Susan B. Anthony. Perseverance. The Little Engine that Could. The Tortoise and the Hare. Perseverance. Helen Keller. Anne Sullivan. Perseverance. The Chilean Miners and their Rescuers. Perseverance.
We have many awe-inspiring stories to en-courage us when the going gets tough. To uplift us. To motivate us. And, thankfully, most of us have people in our lives who believe in us even when we’re full of doubt and despair.
Who winds YOU up when you need it most? How do you persevere???
Warmly,
Jackie Nagel says
What a nice story – and picture – about your Dad, Jory. I feel fortunate that, in addition to family, I have several close friends that I can call who will ‘lie” to me if necessary to wind me up. 😀 We should all have such good friends! Great post.
Diane Markins says
Sounds like you had a great dad, Jory…and I’m sure the legacy continues because I’m betting you wind your kids up pretty well too, and they will do the same. As we encourage others, they learn to be encouragers. I recently challenged women at a retreat to name (or seek) their very own “Paul” (mentor), “Timothy” (mentee) and “Barnabus” (sustaining friend)… Hoping all your readers will do the same as they ponder your post.
Jory Fisher says
Thank you, Jackie and Diane, for your comments. As we ponder how WE are encouraged, it’s always wonderful to think about ways we can encourage others, isn’t it? Paul, Timothy, and Barnabus are excellent role models indeed. Yes, I did have a wonderful father. The best. And thankfully, now I have a wonderful husband, precious daughters, and supportive friends to encourage me during challenging times. If life were always perfect, we might not appreciate the gifts and love of others…at least not as much. Blessings to you both! Be enCOURAGEd! 🙂
Love,
Jory
Jory Fisher says
Everything that’s worthwhile in life requires perseverance…..
“And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1
I think we all need to remind ourselves and encourage ourselves from time to time.
Maripat Abbott says
Such a great reminder, Jory, that we ALL need to stay the course….and when we can’t stay the course and perverserve – we need someone to “wind us up.” My challenge to myself is reach out and find my “winder” – because too often, we allow set-backs to take us off our course.
Thanks for this reminder that everything worthwhile requires perserverence.
~ Maripat