This morning as I left work to come home, I noticed a HUGE Praying Mantis on the back windshield of my car. He/she (not a bug expert) was about 6 inches long and I will refer to it as a he. In Ohio, these were commonplace. I don’t recall seeing many here in North Carolina. I opened up the back door of the car to place my bag. Closing the door rather hard, the thought was I would disturb this little creature, and he would leave my windshield before I needed to take off. It didn’t budge. So, hopping in the car, and pulling out, you would think the movement would disrupt this little fella, and he would just leave. Would you believe almost 5 miles later this little fella let go? Watching as best I could while driving, I could see in my back mirror this little guy hanging on like someone in an amusement park on a fast ride without a seat belt. He changed color. His wings flapped. His little legs ever so slowly moved and the windshield looked a little wet, like hanging on brought on all types of bodily functions. The wind appeard fierce on his little body. I was amazed and inspired. He knew what he wanted, and he didn’t let go without a fight.
To watch something so incredible! My mind started thinking right away how this little guy reminded me of how we need to be persistent in what we are trying to accomplish. Think object lesson! He finally let go, but I am sure he got up and found another place to light. How persistent are we when we know our path is right, but the way gets rough? Do we give up as soon as the door slams? Do you find yourself giving up when a little movement starts that may be contrary to where we know we are to be? Do you hold on for dear life to the goals and dreams even with setbacks? How persistent are we when it comes to our own resolve. What does it take to make you give up?
If you have set your goals, and believe you are on the right path, don’t let anything break that resolve. So, you say, there was a set back. OK. Get up, and get going again! Don’t let the setback be the end-all! Be persistent. Be steadfast. Hold on to the vision, dreams, and goals. Don’t let go. The wind will come. If the wind blows you off coarse, get up and don’t look back. Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary describes the word persist as:
1 : to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning
2 obsolete : to remain unchanged or fixed in a specified character, condition, or position
3 : to be insistent in the repetition or pressing of an utterance (as a question or an opinion)
4 : to continue to exist especially past a usual, expected, or normal time
What areas do you need to be more persistent in?
