Persevering
Vicki Krehbiel (Missouri, USA)

The Lord said, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” - Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)




My front window overlooks a pond, where I enjoy watching geese gather. They swim in the rain, waddle across the ice when the pond freezes, and sleep in the water and on the ice.

One winter afternoon, I noticed a goose struggling to move through a shallow layer of ice. She had only a few yards left before she could break free and join her flock. I could not see her feet below the ice, only her neck straining forward. As she moved ahead, the ice closed around her and she became stuck. I watched, fascinated by her struggle as I willed her forward. At last, she broke free and swam easily to join her flock.

Her efforts reminded me of the many times I could see the goal ahead of me yet struggled to get there. I thought of my last semester of graduate school. Though it was only months, graduation seemed years away. Tests and papers stood between me and the day I could break free and join others in my new profession. Throughout that semester, I clung to the words in the scripture above. With God’s gift of perseverance, I made it through — just like the goose in icy waters.



TODAY'S PRAYER
Dear God, no matter how frozen or stuck we feel, remind us of your love. Thank you for all you provide, including perseverance in difficult circumstances. Amen.



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TODAY'S READING
Isaiah 43:1-7


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God is greater than my circumstances.


PRAYER FOCUS
Someone who feels stuck