It’s #FiveMinuteFriday! I hope you enjoy these word prompts as much as I do. When one speaks to me, jumps out at me, as this one did, it makes it easy to write. A flash mob of writers all focusing on one word and yet coming up with so many good thoughts is exciting. Today, the prompt is Finish.
Go.
One of my favorite memories of the story, The Tortoise and The Hare, is the old Bugs Bunny cartoon. (Warner Bros.) I have read the book to My Three Sons, many moons ago, it is an easy one to remember, one that you can tell over and over again and relate to so many facets of life.
In case you do not remember the story, or perhaps have never read the book, Mr. Hare (or that old wascally wabbit, as Elmer Fudd liked to call him, was a big-time bragger.
He was fast and he knew it.
He was first, and he was proud of it.
He was so sure of his lightning speed that he challenged, of all people, a tortoise; a slow, sluggish, unhurried, turtle.
How many times have you seen a turtle cross the road? Probably, none. You have seen a turtle crossing the road, but how many of us have sat and actually watched that poor turtle start at one side and reach the other?
No patience.
But the rabbit was so confident of his speed and ability that along the way he stops to rest, several times depending on which version you read or watch. Eventually, he falls asleep.
Where is the tortoise? He is doing what he has always done; walking.
Slow and Steady,
Steady and Slow,
That’s the way we always go!
But Slow and Steady (that is his name in one of the books!) didn’t stop. He didn’t dawdle, he didn’t look to his right or to his left. He didn’t get distracted, and if he was tired he didn’t stop. He kept going, no matter what.
He finished.
He not only finished, but he got to that finish line before the rabbit. While he was snoozing, the other team takes the baton. Not because he was faster, not because he was sly, but because he was steady.
Are you steady? Don’t worry about it if you think you are slow, as long as you are not lazy. We all are different, God made us that way.
But He does want us to be
steady consistent faithful reliable dependable unwaveringNot looking to the right or to the left.
Not being swayed by those on the sidelines that say, “Come on over and take a little rest! It’s okay! There’s plenty of time…”
No, we keep pressing on, even in uncertainty. We push, we press, we work while it is day.
There is a Finish Line approaching. The signs of the times are everywhere and we cannot afford to be distracted in this late hour of the race. While we are being steady, while we are pressing on, we are reaching out to those that we meet along the way and say, “Come join me, walk with me, and get to know my Jesus…”
He makes the race endurable! He makes it all worthwhile. He gives strength for the journey, a light to our path and a purpose to our walk.
He is the One waiting at the end of the race, waiting to welcome us home. Hearing Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…” will be all the reward we will want.
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
Just finish. The best is yet to come.
Stop.
Sharing with Faith Filled Friday, Living Proverbs 31, Modest Monday, Monday Musings
Thank you Kimone! So glad you stopped by today. I pray for strength like that too, each and every time I face a trial that “shakes” me. I love what you said, “May I look neither to the right or left but STRAIGHT ahead to YOU!” Blessings, friend! ♥
This was absolutely awesome and encouraging. Lord I oray for strength to keep going during the Calm and even the storm. May I look neither to the right or left but staright ahead to you.
Ha, I loved Looney Tunes too. Unwavering, steadfast and consistent all the way to the end! Amen! (Thanks for the prayers!)
Love this! OK, perhaps because I also loved Looney Tunes growing up. But the lesson will surely stick. May we be unwavering, steadfast, and consistent all the way to the finish. So glad I linked behind you 2X this morning as now I will surely Stop. Drop. Pray. for you! Love & Blessings!!!
Ha, I left off the best part! That’s all, folks! Love it! And you are right, we never give up, we keep pushing toward the goal. Fill up on the Living Water, amen. ♥
OK, the Looney Tunes reference was great – love that version of the Tortoise and the Hare story!
Am I steady, you asked. I don’t think I am, but then again, I’m not giving up. So, that’s something. It occurs to me that the faith journey of the believer is a marathon, and we cannot rush to the finish line. Sometimes we feel faint, sometimes we might walk or even stumble, but…it is the desire to finish, and the infusion of Living Water along the way, that will bring us across the finish line in sweet victory.
And that’s all, folks!
GOD BLESS!
Oh, me too Floyd! Way to much waste 🙁 But God is merciful!
Such a great reminder! I’m totally guilty of running around in a million directions trying to do it all myself when that’s not the point!
The older I get the more wisdom I find in that story. I’ve made much waste in my haste…