There are days when I am convinced things just aren’t going to go my way. About two weeks ago, something happened to my church computer. It wouldn’t do what I wanted it to do, and what I wanted it to do was let me in to do my work. But, it didn’t like my password, one I had used for some time. How shall I describe that day…I was angry. I had work to do. I had a sermon to prepare, an order of worship to put together, and a bunch of other stuff that I was unable to get to because my computer decided that on that day it wanted to be contrary. But, I made it, thanks to the help of one of our church members. The point I’m trying to make is I was ready to call it a day. But, I got through it. I persevered. By the way you have no doubt heard the story of the two frogs that fell into a can of cream. You haven’t heard it. Then, let me share it with you.

Two frogs fell into a can of cream,
Or so I’ve heard it told.
The sides of the can were shiny and steep,
The cream was deep and cold.
“Oh, what’s the use?” croaked number one.
“Tis fate, no help’s around.
Good-bye, my friend!
Good-bye, sad world!”
And weeping still, he drowned.

But number two, of sterner stuff,
Dog-paddled in surprise.
The while he wiped his creamy face,
And dried his creamy eyes.
“I’ll swim awhile at least,” he said,
Or so I’ve heard he said;
“It really wouldn’t help the world,
If one more frog were dead.”
An hour or two he kicked and swam,
Not once he stopped to mutter,
But kicked and kicked and swam and kicked,
Then hopped out, via butter!

If you still need some encouragement let me leave you with these final thoughts.

• By perseverance the snail reached the ark.

• “It is better to limp in the way, than to run with swiftness out of it” (John Calvin)

“Fight one more round. When your feet are so tired that you have to shuffle back to the center of the ring, fight one more round. When your arms are so tired that you can hardly lift your hands to come on guard, fight one more round. When your nose is bleeding and your eyes are black and you are so tired that you wish your opponent would crack you on the jaw and put you to sleep, fight one more round ― remembering that the man who fights one more round is never whipped.” (Gentleman Jim Corbett)

“I would rather fail in a cause that will someday triumph, than triumph in a cause that will someday fail.” (Woodrow Wilson)