31 Days: Pathway to Perseverance - Always the Strong One

Sitting in the pediatric hospital, across from me on the bench, a man and wife waiting for news about their little one.  I look deep into his eyes and see metal doors behind the glassy blue slam shut. Just in time to stop tears and pain from flowing out.  She looked to him, to the side of his face, avoiding eyes asking for strength.

I saw it in the eyes of my own son. Whisked away to follow stretchers sprinting toward NICU with the son he had not even had the chance to welcome to the world. Everyone expected him to be the strong one. Shots of frightening words were fired at him and cut as if jettisoned from a rifle, but he could not flinch. He had to be strong for his wife, for his son, for them all.

There are times in our lives when we have to act as human shields against life's darts. But, we can depend upon God to be right there with us and to uphold us when our strength fails.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13

"He gives strength to the weary and increases power of the weak.”
Isaiah 40:29 

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble."
Psalm 46:1

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe." 
Proverbs 18:10


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