When I'm running, hills are my nemesis. I hate them. Until recently, I would often just give up and walk until I was at the top. And then one day my wiser-than-I-am husband said "Don't give up. Put your head down, run and just push through" I admit I wasn't quick to take his advice. But, recently, I have been. You know what? It works. Sure it doesn't make it easy. It's still just as hard. But with my eyes looking only a step ahead of me, I am able to just push through and get to the top without giving up.
This week of fostering has been like running up a hill. A very steep, incredibly long, no-end-in-sight hill.
Tantrums and the silent treatment have left me bewildered, exhausted, and second guessing this decision.
Yes, we've had some great laughs, fun, and breakthroughs. Probably more of them than the negative behaviors we see. And I will be sure to document those soon.
But those negative behaviors can seem insurmountable in the middle of the moment.
So I've taken a cue from running to get up this hill. I've just put my head down and am pushing through. We aren't at the top. I'm not sure we ever will be. Even in exhaustion, confusion and, yes, sometimes anger at the situation, I know God hasn't left us to do this alone. He loves these girls. He has equipped us. He is our strength. He is our hope.
And with my eyes focused on that, and not the top of the hill, I can keep pushing through.
Pray for us and the girls, please. Our God is able.