One true gift of God is the tension of struggle:
challenges that come out of nowhere just when you think the coast is clear;
the demon Comparison that threatens to anchor you always in the Desert of Lack;
besetting sins that cycle and re-cycle in a life that resembles an on-going game of Whack-a-Mole.
Up close, the struggle feels overwhelming, but taking one step back so the light of Truth can fall upon the day’s page, it becomes clear that struggle is evidence of life. Paul knew this in his bones, following up his Romans 7 howl (“For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”) with a Romans 8 rallying cry (“If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”).
The struggle is not for nothing.
Watching my grandson’s fervent pursuit of the ducks on Damariscotta Lake is a study in futility, for he is still learning that his feathered friends have the secret weapon of flight –which is not available to him. By contrast, the believer’s pursuit of righteousness is supported by every weapon in the Spirit’s arsenal.
Your struggle is exactly fitted to your soul,
your soul to it exactly fitted.
The mark of a sincere following life is struggle, but we do not struggle alone, and we do not struggle in vain.
The World of Words
Five books read and five books reviewed!
Of course there’s always reading going on behind the scenes, and the number of books that have shown up in my mailbox this month tells me that this must be book launch season! I’ve been sharing my meandering through Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian in Community over on the Living Our Days Facebook page (which, by the way, passed the 500 followers mark this month, so thank you to everyone who gathers there!).
Now I’m moving on to C.S. Lewis’s The Weight of Glory, and the edition I’m reading includes an introduction by Walter Hooper, Lewis’s assistant during his final days. He shares biographical insights I have not read elsewhere, and then, of course, Lewis’s incredible essays follow.
Desiring God very graciously shared an article that I wrote from the gleanings of one of our more challenging seasons of parenting. Based on John 17, it’s a call to prayer for our teens, and a reminder that when parents pray over an open Bible, the words of Scripture wrap themselves around the desires of our hearts and give us the words we don’t have. While you’re there, be sure to take advantage of their many helpful resources.
The Gardening Life
My basement shelves are filling up with shiny jars of spaghetti sauce, pickles, relish, green beans, salsa, and canned tomatoes. Much to the delight of our adorable grandson, we’re growing a bumper crop of cherry tomatoes this year, and in addition to squirreling away the bounty, it’s been a delight to have plenty to share with family and friends.
Around the Dining Room Table
The youngest son and I have already resumed the daily routine of homeschooling. This will be my last round of algebra and chemistry, and since he’s taking his English at the local community college, someone else will be singing the praises of the Oxford comma with him this year. God has used the rhythms and routines of homeschooling to speak patience into this flibbertigibbet of a soul with the reality that school happens one day, one subject at a time, and the thick textbook that looks so intimidating in September is conquered by showing up and doing the few things required on any given day.
Standing with you in the freedom of the struggle,
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I link-up with a number of blogging communities on a regular basis. They are listed in the left sidebar by day of the week. I hope that you will take a moment to enjoy reading the work of some of these fine writers and thinkers. And for these month-end posts, I’m always happy to visit Leigh and Emily! Join me there?
“The Weight of Glory” is one of C.S. Lewis’ works I have not read. It looks good, but right now I have a lot of Chesterton on my kindle! 🙂
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Yes, you do!
By comparison, I think Lewis is actually an easier read. That may be bias talking . . .
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Michele, I love what you have written about struggle as I have been thinking about it a lot myself lately. This, so true and something I have now written down > “Your struggle is exactly fitted to your soul, your soul to it exactly fitted.”
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At all ages and stages of life, we need to remember the reason for our struggles, and the truth that they are hand picked for our sanctification.
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“One true gift of God is the tension of struggle”
Very true!!!…He uses restlessness to draw us into his bosom. Very nice piece, Michele
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Thank you, Sally!
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You’re very welcome. 🙂 Do stop by my blog too sometime.
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Your words spoke to me “the struggle is exactly fitted to my soul”. Wow! Though it doesn’t feel like it, I have to remember that God is working toward the greater good. He knows the struggles that will pull me toward Him. But ahhhh! It’s not easy! God bless you!
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How wise that you’ve described struggles as “the thing that will pull me toward him.” This is easy to forget in the messy middle.
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What a good word, Michele!
This part encouraged me… “Your struggle is exactly fitted to your soul,
your soul to it exactly fitted.”
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That truth has been right in front of my eyes this month. I love sharing month-end musings!
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Weight of Glory is one of my favorites of Lewis. I was just rereading my review from four years ago – it’s hard to write a review of his nonfiction books without just quoting half the book. But one of the quotes seemed perfectly in line with what you wrote at the beginning. He said that even though he fought self-will several times a day, “it grows all over me like a new shell each night.” Thankfully “failures will be forgiven; it is acquiescence that is fatal…We may never, this side of death, drive the invader out of our territory, but we must be in the Resistance.”
Math was not my forte, and I remember the joy when I took my last math class ever. 🙂
Good thought, too, that big tasks are conquered just one step at a time.
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I love that quote and will be watching for it.
And I agree also that a collection of essays would be very hard to review.
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“God has used the rhythms and routines of homeschooling to speak patience into this flibbertigibbet of a soul with the reality that school happens one day, one subject at a time, and the thick textbook that looks so intimidating in September is conquered by showing up and doing the few things required on any given day.” I had to laugh when I read this. Sounds like God has been teaching us the same lessons. This is the first year he is in high school full time. Excited, but also missing the rhythms and routines. (But I do enjoy not having to relearn higher level math to keep up with him.)
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I hear you. There’s something so helpful about having a schedule to stick to. But I do hope you are enjoying the comparative freedom!
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Love your monthly musings, Michele — always such beautiful insights. The closing speaks to a truth I know but still can find myself overwhelmed at large tasks. One lesson at a time. Keep showing up. Thank you for these reminders.
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Thank you, Crystal, for all the ways you show up! Hope you enjoy your short break from blogging!
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Very true words, Michele. Lewis is a great read. I have read many of his books, and there is such wisdom there. Thank you for sharing. God bless.
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The Weight of Glory is one that’s been on my list for a long time. After this, I want to tackle God in the Dock.
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Your musings are a treat for my mind and soul. I’m not sure how you did your slide show of the books you read, but I’m very impressed. I also love your around the table and gardening sections. Thank you for sharing “you”. It’s always delightful!
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It’s fun to visit with friends around tables and gardens. Thanks for landing here!
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I’ll happily sing the praises of the Oxford comma with your son any day! LOL Love your comment about how the intimidating textbook gets conquered… A good reminder for me today! Blessings!
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Homeschooling has definitely taught me the power of just showing up every day. I don’t have to do EVERYTHING in one day–just that day’s work. It all adds up, and God is faithful.
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Michele, as always, my day is enriched by a visit to your page. This, in particular, struck a chord: “it becomes clear that struggle is evidence of life.” YES! It reminds me of a conversation my summer Bible study sisters and I had yesterday when we were wrapping up our journey through Hebrews and were attempting to summarize it. We joked that one of our take-aways (based on Hebrews 12:4) is, “If you’re not dead, keep going.” 😉 Now I can add “struggle is evidence of life” to my mental bank account. Thank you so much…stopping by from Grace&Truth.
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That’s rich! And it’s so true. A corollary to your take away might be, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger!”
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Enjoyed your musings, Michele. We’re back to homeschooling, too, and I have the addition of a third student this year with my third born. They do keep us busy. Have a great weekend!
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Adding the third student (for me anyway!) was huge. I felt officially out numbered!
Blessings to you! These days go by so quickly.
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“Your struggle is exactly fitted to your soul,
your soul to it exactly fitted.” Wow! Such powerful words, my friend! It puts things in a clear perspective when we realize this truth. Thank you.
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So when I’m struggling AGAINST my struggle, I’m really missing the point. And I need continual reminders here, so thanks, Cheryl, for joining the conversation.
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“The mark of a sincere following life is struggle, but we do not struggle alone, and we do not struggle in vain.”- this is great encouragement- thank you! And I enjoyed reading about your month. You always seem to fit so much in!
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One of my favorite parts of writing this posts is that it forces me to look back and celebrate what’s been done and to re-think some things. I have a tendency toward a future orientation, so this gets to be a matter of intentional discipline. Thanks for coming along for the ride!
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Love your whack-a-mole analogy! That perfectly describes my struggle with health issues! Thanks for sharing with us at The Blogger’s Pit Stop! Roseann from This Autoimmune Life
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Thanks, Roseann–It’s definitely the way it feels to me, but I gave it careful thought before using the image because I don’t ever want to minimize someone’s struggle. I appreciate your input!
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I do love Lewis Carrol books Thank you for linking to #Thatfridaylinky please come back next week
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Your post reminds me of how swiftly time passes, of how the struggles that seemed insurmountable in one season, are now a distant memory. Oh, if only we could live like Jesus admonished us, not worried and anxious about what may come, but savoring today.
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So true that the mountain of last week or last year is today’s mole hill. We are so easily overwhelmed, and so I’m trusting for grace to “consider the lilies” today.
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“. we do not struggle alone, and we do not struggle in vain.” What beautiful words of encouragement on struggle. Thank you!
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Trusting that your heart is encouraged at the beginning of this new week and this new month!
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I do sometimes feel like I’m in that whack-a-mole game you talked about. What an apt description. Congratulations on the 500 followers on FB. I wish I thought I could make the commitment right now to follow along with the Bonhoeffer book. His life and writings have impacted me greatly in the past. Thanks for sharing your musings, Michele. Happy September!
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Good to hear from you, Donna. And I guess as long as we keep whacking, we’re still in the game, right?
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Your thoughts on struggle were so exactly what I needed to read tonight. I will read them a few more times in the days to come, I believe. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com! It has truly blessed me.
Tina
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Oh, that’s so good to know, Tina! When I write these re-cap posts, I want to give readers something to chew on before launching into all the “here’s what I’ve been doing” stuff. It’s good to know that sometimes it hits home for readers!
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The freedom of the struggle; another perspective. Thanks very much for sharing, Michele. Blessings to you.
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Ah, yes!
No one wants to struggle, but it’s part of the growth process, and in retrospect, we can be grateful.
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I love the fact that our heavenly Father has powers–but he never tries to escape us :).
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Oh, so true! He only uses them for his glory and for our good!
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WOW! Michele, what a wonderful summary of the many blessings you experienced in August! Certainly encourages us all to look at our day-to-day living with an eye for the daily opportunities to see God at work in our lives–He Who sees the end from the beginning. Love this quote about your homeschooling, which we can all apply to our “one day at a time” living, as well…”God has used the rhythms and routines of homeschooling to speak patience into this flibbertigibbet of a soul with the reality that school happens one day, one subject at a time, and the thick textbook that looks so intimidating in September is conquered by showing up and doing the few things required on any given day.” Amen!
Many blessings to you, friend!
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It’s so true that God whispers to us in the daily rhythms of an ordinary life, but so often we do not hear because we’re looking for a burning bush!
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So often people think life should be roses and only full of joy. Without the struggle, nothing would be joyful! #GlobalBlogging
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That’s so true, Heather, and so wise.
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