A few months ago, Husband, Tiny Human and I returned from a cross-country trip.
It was something of a debacle. What should have taken like 8 hours to get from New Jersey back to Washington State took more than 36.
Needless to say– I was frustrated.
But I was also rather surprised, because even with hours of delays, missed flights and the fact that I was literally wearing my last pair of clean underwear from my carry-on, I managed not to freak out on my husband. (I know it wasn’t his fault. But the poor man is often on the receiving end of my frustrations for all the things. I am working on this… Claiming a victory in that moment.)
Anywho, I was tired. Hangry (Hungry + angry.) Ready to get home.
We had parked our car at the airport for the week and so when we finally made it back to our car, I half expected Jesus Christ himself to be sitting in the driver’s seat. It was THAT much of a heavenly sight.
We started our drive home (in Interstate 5 traffic– HOORAY!) and I glanced out the window into my driver’s side mirror.
I noticed the finest little spider web across the mirror attached to the door. And it was holding fast at 60 mph.
It was kind of a cool moment, but as the web was demolished after 38 miles on the interstate, I really didn’t think much of it.
Until the next day.
I hopped in the car off to a meeting to reintegrate into “the real world.” I snapped my seat belt, looked in the mirror and gasped out loud…
There was a brand new spider web in the same place as the one from the day before.
And this determined little spider didn’t stop there.
The same thing happened every day for nearly three months.
Although it was just one of God’s tiny creatures, this little arachnid persevered.
Everyday, whenever the web became loose or the strands broke after flapping in the wind on the interstate, my spider friend would rebuild.
It had taken up semi-permanent residence behind my driver’s side mirror and would occasionally peep out to survey the situation– even when we were blasting down the road.
This is more than just a cool story. It inspired my faith.
Our faith should be like the strands of that web– strong and sturdy, able to withstand the winds, rain, the “storms” of this life.
Every single day, we should “reset” our faith, strengthening the cords by spending time with the Lord.
And we should never, ever give up– no matter how many times we have to “rebuild.” Because a strong, persevering faith it necessary for our spiritual survival.
My spider-y friend has since moved on– but those three months of watching it persevere and “stick” with its mission to build, build, and build again is an experience I will not soon forget.
Dear readers– would you say that you have a faith-like “web of perseverance” built in your life? If yes, what tools do you use on a daily basis to persevere? Chime in and leave a comment here.
Take the lesson from that little spider to heart. Persevere in the little stuff (like 36 hour airport transit debacles) and in the big stuff (you fill in the blank here.) Even if you feel like your faith is taking a beating down the interstate at 60+ miles per hour, know that God will strengthen you– again, again, and again.
Let’s build a our web of perseverance with confidence.
Persevering with Christ,
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” ~James 1:12 NIV
