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Daily Devotion

In the Sand Trap

By Deb Butterfield

14 Comment(s)

“She’s a tough old bird,” my father often said about my mother. He was right. Not even seven surgeries sidelined this octogenarian. With her first knee replacement the doctor told her she’d never golf again. She was 74 and still determined to be a player, not a spectator. Five months later she stepped onto the tee and drove her first ball of the season at the local golf course. At the age of 81, she won a ladies golf championship for women 35 and older just six months after having a mastectomy of her right breast. I would do well to take a lesson from her—in life, not golf—for she is a woman of quiet perseverance.

When we step up to the tee to drive the ball down the fairway, we intend to hit the green, maybe even make a hole in one, but we all find ourselves in the sand trap now and then. Getting out of the sand takes perseverance.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2-3, NIV).

It took intense physical therapy three times a day, seven days a week for my mother to gain back the mobility of her leg. She faced discouragement often and pain daily, but she kept at it. When she scheduled her second knee replacement six years later, she was prepared to do it all again. Removal of her gall bladder nine days after the knee replacement blindsided her though. Nothing she ate would stay down. The pounds were slipping away like melting snow on the parched Colorado prairie. Even a slice of her favorite chocolate cake looked revolting. She felt like giving up. Still, she persisted.

To persevere doesn’t mean you never feel discouraged or like giving up. It means steadily persisting to reach your goal despite how you feel, despite the obstacles that get in the way. The apostle Peter, in 2 Peter 1:6, admonishes us to diligently add perseverance to our faith. That is accomplished through fighting the battles with God’s help, confident that he will do what he promised he would do (Hebrews 10:23, NLT).

Mom is the middle child of seven. She was four years old when the Crash of 1929 ushered in the Great Depression. She served in the Marine Corps during World War II and lost many of her childhood friends to that war. She raised two boys and twin girls—her first child was stillborn. Mom has seen her share of grizzly-bear battles, yet I don’t remember her ever telling me “You’ve got to persevere.” I learned from her example.

This year saw the loss of Dad. After 63 years of marriage, Mom, now 85, stands strong, trusting God, just as she has throughout her life, to bring her through her grief one day at a time. She is a model of perseverance to her children and grandchildren and to her widowed friends. And, yes, she still plays golf.

When you find yourself in the sand trap, remember God is with you through your troubles. He will never leave you nor forsake you. His strength to help is readily available. Ask and he will provide. Keep your focus on God, persevere and you will reach the green.

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Debra L. Butterfield is a freelance writer and inspirational speaker. She is the author of Help! My Husband Has Sexually Abused Our Daughter, and editor and publisher of the webzine Glory and Strength.com.

14 Comment(s)

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Boo1972 Apr 24, 2013 at 9:36 pm  
Thanks for sharing. I am learning to always trust God and my faith grows stronger everyday. This was such an inspiring message; this encourage me to do my best everyday and to realize God is right there with me through the good and the bad.
Ngozi Udochukwu Apr 24, 2013 at 1:28 pm  
Thank you so much. This is a huge encouragement. Each time I get discouraged a guilty conscience comes with it. But today I am delivered of it. I can get discouraged but I will steadily persist to reach my goal no matter the obstacle.
God bless your mom.
Ngozi Udochukwu Apr 24, 2013 at 1:28 pm  
Thank you so much. This is a huge encouragement. Each time I get discouraged a guilty conscience comes with it. But today I am delivered of it. I can get discouraged but I will steadily persist to reach my goal no matter the obstacle.
God bless your mom.
Deanna Apr 24, 2013 at 1:01 pm  
What an awesome testimony. Deb, your mother is a pillar of strength and an example that we all can benefit from. I to have had both knee's replaced. I had cervical cancer that almost took my life. I have to admit though that my attitude was nothing near to your mothers. I never looked at God in a wa... View More..
Henryk Senior Apr 24, 2013 at 9:41 am  
Thank you for sharing Deb. God bless you.My mom survived the death camp in Germany after being deported from France while baby sitting Jewish children at ripe age of 16. She was pushed eastward looking for her family and finally found her father in Poland of all places. By then the Iron Curtain was ... View More..
Deborah Hayes Apr 24, 2013 at 9:33 am  
Thank you for todays devotional, it really hit the mark with me this morning. I have been struggling with medical issues. I will persevere and not give up with God being right here beside. God is good and mersiful. Thank you loving Father for being here with me. Amen
garygat Apr 24, 2013 at 8:39 am  
It is a must that we keep our eyes on God to see us through any situations that we may see as not being able to get through but GOD, will see us through it when we surrender and know that His Word to us never fails. God lets us know that He will never leave or forsake us, so we should always remembe... View More..
Jay Rodd Apr 24, 2013 at 8:37 am  
So. Sand traps are tools of the devil? It have always been of the opinion that the entire game of golf was Satanic. I reckon it is reasonable to compare one to sin. It is pretty and looks like fun, but get involved, soon you will be paying the price.
janepouw Apr 24, 2013 at 7:15 am  
I just visited my mother in Indonesia about to celebrate her 97th birthday. She was a strong woman until the age of 96. Very determined to get a better life for her family and full of perseverance despite all kinds of hardships in different countries. She and my Dad had a long life of service in the... View More..
Eddie Parker Apr 24, 2013 at 7:00 am  
Really wonderful words...Thank you...
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