The Power of Perseverance

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Perseverance

Day upon day

night after night

words penned to paper

until they’re just right

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Hope upon hope

perseverance pays off

with hard work and diligence

a dream is not lost.

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Wendy ❀ 2015

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This intriguing and persevering creature lives at the back of my garden.

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My poem was inspired by a brief bio I read about the author,

Leon Uris.

He was a truck driver and ex-marine

who flunked English several times,

but he wanted to write a book–

so he did.

He persevered day by day

until he’d written the best-seller, Exodus.

Here’s a 2 minute video about him:

Leon Uris

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Perseverance means showing up day after day and putting down the effort.

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Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial,

because when he has stood the test,

he will receive the crown of life

that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

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Do you have a favorite verse or quote about perseverance?

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Blessings of Perseverance ~ Wendy 

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48 thoughts on “The Power of Perseverance

  1. I’ve found that perseverance and comfort kind of go hand-in-hand. When we submit to His Lordship we experience a peace that goes deeper than the trials that surround us. I like this verse:
    2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NIV)
    Praise to the God of All Comfort
    “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”

    1. Gene, thank you for sharing this powerful verse. And bless you for sharing the comfort you received. Your book is a wonderful testimony of God’s comfort and your faith in action. ❀ I’m over 70% through it already (that’s fast for me).

    1. I’ve yet to read any of his works–so many books–and so little time for a slowpoke like me. 😉 I always enjoy seeing pictures of writers in their creative space. ❀

      1. Another very inspiring post Wendy. Showing up every day, doing our best and being the best we can be; that’s all we need to do. I say ‘all’, it’s not always easy 😊 x

        1. Christine, you made me smile. <3 Sometimes all I can do is show up. I'm so thankful there are a variety of ways to work on our crafts–whatever they are. There is always something new we can work on or learn. Let's never give up. ❀

  2. Thanks, as always, for so beautifully and sweetly writing the things I need to read. I love that verse! This one encourages me as well: But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:13-14

    1. Marisa, I love your choice of Phil. 3:13-14. It’s comforting to know He doesn’t want us to dwell on our past but to focus on Him. Blessings as you press on, dear friend (& Happy Mother’s Day weekend). ❀

  3. wow, that’s really interesting about leon Uris. I think God puts stories in us, gives us the raw material, but it’s up to us to do the work to get it out! I love the story about the author of Sea Biscuit, who was so ill she couldn’t leave her house, I think she had fibromyalgia. perhaps her book kept her mind occupied and helped her get through her days with inspiration. Nothing can really deter us, if we allow God to help us. How is your book coming along?

    1. I agree, Linda, that God puts stories in us. And we love to learn about Him, others, and ourselves through storytelling too. Thank you for asking about my book. I’m waiting for feedback on it as I continue learning, writing, and editing new projects. ❀

  4. Hi Wendy, thank you for this encouraging post ♥ Here is a verse that also encourages me: Luke 8:15 “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.” Specifically the last part “with patience” reminds me I must be patient (and persevere!) because fruit takes time to grow. Blessings ♥

    1. Karen, your reminder for patience is excellent. It’s unwise to offer up anything haphazardly done. (Do you have a link to a site of your own that I can visit?) ❀

      1. Thank you. Yes, I believe anything worth doing is worth doing well. Not to be perfectionistic, but “as unto the Lord” in all things. I recently deleted my blog, as God is doing a lot of work in my life (offline). So I don’t have an online presence anymore besides this little profile. But thank you kindly for asking ♥

  5. Wendy, if you are passionate about something, you will persevere. Quitting is not an option, as long as your heart is in it and you enjoy what you do. The journey is its own reward.
    Jennifer xo

    1. Jennifer, how very true. <3 We need to find joy in the journey or we're on the wrong road. I'm so happy for you that your diligent work has found a publishing home. Enjoy the icing. ❀

  6. I am so glad I read this post. I was having doubts about my blogging endeavors. This really comforted and encouraged me to continue.

    I was thinking about scripture related to perseverance, and two passages came to my mind:

    “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

    “24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

    25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25

    Blessings,
    Theresa

    1. Theresa, I love the reminder that He “is able to keep (us) from falling”. We are going to make it all the way Home.

      I’ve really enjoyed the posts you’ve done of poetry with flowers and inspiration. If we blog what we love then it makes it fun and there are bound to be others who catch our enthusiasm. ❀

  7. Thank you for sharing your beautiful poem, the perseverance poster, and the story about Leon. This is one of my go-to verses, Wendy. -> Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Have a beautiful weekend. 🙂

    1. Kath, I’ve just read a blog post where a published author sang the praises of editors. I’m so thankful for them too, and I can’t wait to be under the guidance of one. ❀

  8. Beautiful and truthful post as always, Wendy. Here’s my contribution, “Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.” – St. Catherine of Siena

  9. Thanks for this . I didn’t know this about Leon Uris. How inspiring. Reminds me a bit of Eric Hoffer, the longshoreman who wrote The True Believer. That book became so famous that some people couldn’t believe that a relatively uneducated person could have written it. Ambition and Perseverance so vital, for all of us.

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