May 2026
Sometimes the best way to continue is to focus on success rather than failure. I can become bogged down in what I haven’t accomplished. This can make me less motivated to continue. We recently talked as a family about our goals and how we are progressing toward those goals. I found myself just becoming discouraged by all that I haven’t done. It was a moment where I’d rather give up than continue; however, it is better to persevere. So this month I’d like to focus on what I have done well. I want to encourage you to always look for ways to be thankful or for small successes to keep you going towards your goals.
I have read my Bible more this year. I have been reading through the entire Bible. I started last year with the idea to progress as able, not necessarily within a certain timeframe. I am continuing that this year, but with the goal of reading at least something every day. I haven’t made it every day, but I have been better about reading more. I am still working towards it every day. Rather than trying to follow my reading plan as well as keep up with our Ladies' Bible Study, I started doing either one or the other each day. This gives me time in God’s Word without the stress of trying to fit in multiple or longer reading times. As a whole family, we have done better at meeting regularly for family worship. Both of these are the best goals that we can reach. Even if I don’t quite make my other goals, it will be worth the effort to get into this habit.
Also, I have been outside more this year. My garden isn’t growing the greatest, but I have been out tending it. I have pulled weeds, planted seeds, and watered the garden. My garlic seems to be about ready to harvest, but the onions never came up. My second round of planting yielded only two radish plants, so I just planted some squash over that bed. I finally got the seeds for my cucumbers and dill planted. I already have plans for some additional squash once my garlic is pulled up. My oldest son is learning about plants and has been readily helping with the weeding and watering. The youngest son is interested in pulling up whatever green he sees, which makes him a bit more of a hazard to the garden. I have found that having him weed the paths between the garden beds is probably the best job for him. We have already visited eight State Parks so far this year, with seven more planned by the end of June. That will put Elijah at 15 out of 40 Jr. Ranger badges. I was very proud of Elijah and how he handled losing the other Jr. Ranger competition, of which he was a part. He was still excited to work to earn his badges at the State Parks. Both boys have been keeping me outside more, especially when they want to meet up with friends at the park.
Other reading has been progressing slowly. I have two books I’m currently reading, and neither one holds my interest for long. They are books I have to make myself read. I keep trying to encourage myself with the fact that I can start a different book once I get those read. I have probably read less this year than last year, but I am actually still meeting my goal of reading for 30 minutes every week. The one goal that I haven’t even really started is regular exercise. I am getting more exercise in our hikes through state parks, but that is just a couple of weekends a month. I am not really putting in a lot of effort, nor is it a regular, daily routine. Over the next couple of months, I plan to be more intentional about finding ways to exercise more. I may need to find an overlap solution, such as when I started using my Ladies’ Bible Study preparation as my personal Bible time. Maybe I can put in some squats as I fold the laundry. Just as rest begets rest, I know that movement will beget more movement…I just need to start.
Since I’ve mentioned Ladies’ Bible Study, I’d like to share some things that really stuck with me recently. We are working through “The Pursuit of Holiness” by Jerry Bridges. In the discussion of holiness, he addresses both God’s provision and our responsibility. He says on page 72, “The Christian should never complain of want of ability and power. If we sin, it is because we choose to sin, not because we lack the ability to say no to temptation. It is time for us Christians to face up to our responsibility for holiness. Too often, we say we are “defeated” by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient.” I am not saying that not meeting goals is a sin. However, I chose the goals I did to try to improve myself so that I may better glorify God. Two of the things I was dealing with were addressed in Chapter 11. He jumps right and states in the second paragraph of that chapter, “Modern Christians, especially those in the Western world, have generally been found wanting in the area of holiness of body. Gluttony and laziness, for example, were regarded by earlier Christians as sin.” He continues on page 97, “If we watch ourselves closely, we can see how often we eat and drink just to gratify physical desire…” What struck me the most was what Jerry Bridges states on page 99: “Another reason we must closely govern our indulgence of food and drink is that the person who overindulges his body at this point will find it more and more difficult to mortify other sinful desires of the body.” I never thought about how giving in to one sin leads us into giving in to other areas of temptation. To resist temptation, we must discipline every area of our lives. This study has shown me how the discipline necessary to keep my goals is also necessary to resist temptation and flee from sin. While not having a regular time of exercise is not a sin, it is sinful for me to remain slothful and not discipline my body in exercise when I can see the need I have to improve my health.
All Christians are called to be holy. I Peter 1:14-16 tells us, “ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘ You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” We are all called to discipline our hearts, souls, minds, and strength to the glory of God. Paul describes his own walk with the Lord in 1 Corinthians 9:27, which says, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” There is temptation all around us every day. We all face trials and difficulties. Our only hope is in the Lord. We must keep fighting a battle every day without retreat. I cannot allow discouragement to set in and cause me to quit. I must run the race. I must stick to my goals because to do otherwise is to allow my own sinful desires to win, but I am not alone. I am encouraged by Paul’s words in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”