A tall, old Irishman was standing there holding a Bible in his large right hand. His left arm was missing including the shoulder. Only pictures of him remain now along with what he contributed to many a life that came into contact with him. He is gone to meet his Savior and has been made completely whole. That arm lost to an industrial accident has been replaced. Only the memories of our many conversations cycle through my brain.
A few years back I got to meet him and through successive visits got to know him and love him for the Christian he was. After talking to many who had grown up with him, I developed the impression that anyone who considered him a friend or did business with him was blessed. Being the eldest in his family, this entrepreneur knew hard work at a young age. Expecting to work hard and being obedient to that ethic is what he practiced throughout his life. He faced life’s challenges head on and considered them a new situation that had to be overcome.
No one has an easy life and his involved many twists and turns that would have destroyed a lot of men. The stories he related to me came from a humble heart and painted a picture of a man of integrity. The old saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” Well, he was a living example of that.
Perseverance means continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition: the action or condition or an instance of persevering: steadfastness. This is the attribute I feel exemplifies him.
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
He didn’t lose heart and left us a biblical example.
Think about it.
Gary