Don't Give Up Too Soon

"Nothing could be worse than the fear that one had given up too soon and left one unexpended effort, which might have saved the world." - Jane Addams, social worker, activist, and joint winner of the 1931 Nobel Peace Prize

There is a saying that I hear often from my friends that reminds me of this quote. The saying is: "Don't give up before the miracle happens." I've often given up on projects, people, and myself and it's left me wondering many times what would have happened if I had stayed focused on the task at hand. I'll never know for sure.

I've gotten better at sticking with something and seeing it through to the end. I've learned that I don't know what gifts will come from staying committed to the project. The other lesson I've learned is that I'll never know how something would have turned out had I chosen differently anyway. In my mind, I seem to have what's called a "negative" projector. I don't imagine wonderful miracles happening; I imagine catastrophes, disasters, and disappointments. If I make a choice and it doesn't work out the way I think it should, it doesn't necessarily mean that this particular choice was the wrong choice.  Choice B may have worked out even WORSE than Choice A. I'll never know for sure.

I do know this - everything always works out perfectly for me, in God's time. I trust in the process, I do the next right thing, and I pray all the time. I love this life and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I've truly been blessed. I'm not going to give up. I will give every effort for as long as I'm here on this planet. I'm so glad I didn't leave before the miracle happened.