“I refuse to quit!” I threw my pencil across the room in my rage. I had
taken this math class twice already. Both times I failed. This second time
wasn’t as bad as the first, but still… Voices in my head reminded me of the
people who doubted I could do it. They said, “How many times do you think it
will take you to get the grade you need?” The bigger question became, how many
times was I willing to try? I made the decision – – how ever many times it took
I would succeed! No one was going to tell me I couldn’t do it. So, there I was
once again, sitting in Math 080 class. Third time is charm? Right? YES! I MADE
it so! Then two more semesters of Algebra and I had FINALLY succeeded! No more
math classes! The weight on my shoulders had lifted and I was on my way to
graduating with an Associate of Arts degree. See? I DID IT! 

            I am faced with the
same challenge in a very different area of my life now. This is something I
have tried over and over to accomplish but ultimate success has been extremely
elusive. Yet, I. Must. Keep. Trying. Take the passion with which I conquered
those math classes and use it to reach this new goal. Today I’ve taken my sword
up once more and I’ve gotten back up on that horse. This time is going to be
different though. This time it is going to be just between God and I. This
battle I’m giving completely to God because I truly believe He is the only One
who can really help me do this. Perhaps if I’d let God handle it completely in
the first place I’d have been victorious years ago. But we all leave God out of
things until nothing else works and I’m afraid this is one of those areas in my
life I have done that with. But I am convinced He has forgiven me for putting
Him last and He will graciously help me through it this one last time. 

   INSPIRATION

How many
times have you gone down this road

have you
walked this path

opened
your soul?

How many
times have you circled this mountain

have you
gotten this far

to only
turn back?

How many
times have you tried again

have you started
over

took two
steps forward

only to
retreat?

Fear of
failure

whispers
of doubt

have led
you here

to where
you are now.

You know
you can do it if only you’ll try

Quit
telling yourself , “I’ll start tomorrow”.

It is
time to begin to take a first step

one foot
in front of the other

this
could be your final test.

Stop
worrying stop waiting

stop
believing the lies

You know
you could do it

You just
have to try.

I won’t
tell you it is easy

it might
be quite hard

it might
just be the last time

you will
have to go this far.

When you
finish this task

when you
get to the end

it will
all be over

it will
be worth it.

You’ll
feel freedom and joy

you’ll
let everyone know

I did it!
I made it!

And
you’ll see how it shows!

Giving
in, giving up

is so
easy to do

but you
and I know

you must
see this through.

So get
started today

and
you’ll never regret

this
decision you’ve made

it will
be your best yet!

Marcell
Warner Bridges

©12,
February 2009

Dear Friends, whatever you have in life that you feel like giving up on,  ask God to help you try it one more time. 

© Marcie Bridges, Heart Thoughts, 2013

Fall Field/Diploma Pictures
© Bridgescreations, 2013