Today as I sit in the car and write while my husband is busy mowing a Right of Way, I heard the Lord speak to me, “Whatever it takes.” My heart instantly flooded with pride and joy as I realized God was reminding me of the blessing it is to have a husband who will do whatever it takes to provide for his family. I have watched that man walk in more humility than any other person I have ever known. He is the best leader because he’s a working leader. He’s not the type to order others around while he sits lazily in an office, no he’s the man who leads by example in the workplace, always working harder and longer than anyone else, all the while keeping a good attitude.
My husband has also been my champion. He has studied me enough to discover the key to encouraging me. He has done whatever it takes to earn my love and to hold it tenderly. He is the man who has done whatever it takes to make his kids feel his love. He strives to meet them right where they are and love them with a beautiful fatherly love.
He’s the man who went the extra mile to walk out homebirths with me. He was required to be all in for those and he never complained. He always said he would support me in whatever way I desired to give birth. He always let me choose.
Even when I traveled a couple thousand miles to take our kids to AR, so I could later fly back to PA and finish packing, he never tried to orchestrate my trip. No, he let me make all the decisions and was just an encouraging voice as I journeyed.
His voice has always been, “I believe you can do it!”
He has always been able to see straight into me and call out the strength that I didn’t know I had. His voice gives me courage. It comforts me. It makes me feel bold.
Then God showed me that I have become a “whatever it takes” kind of person. I felt His delight rest on my shoulders as He ran memories of bygone years through my mind on a reel and highlighted the moments when I’ve been solid and steady and committed to whatever it takes.
In marriage, I decided many years ago to do whatever it takes to fight for and keep a loving relationship. With my kids, I will do whatever it takes to build a relationship with them while encouraging them to grow and leading them to become healthy and independent adults. Even when we’ve had to make tough decisions or watch our kids walk out pain, we’ve listened to Holy Spirit and decided to do whatever it takes to help them connect with Him better. To help them develop character. To have a real relationship with Him. Because in the end, that’s all that will matter.
Today is a commitment challenge. Are you a “whatever it takes” person? Wherever you are in life right now, are you willing to lean into God and do whatever it takes to see His plan form? In your personal life, are you willing to do whatever it takes to live out healthy relationships? Are you willing to do whatever it takes to encourage growth and character in those around you, even if it means standing back while they walk out the hard things? And finally, are you willing to do whatever it takes to continue to walk near the Lord and grow in your relationship with Him?
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight , keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. Proverbs 4:18-22
365 Days in the Presence 