Put In The Practice

Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.

She came home in tears. I waited until we’d gotten inside and the other kids had left to do other things before asking her what was wrong.

“I’m terrible, Mom,” she exclaimed. “Everyone else is good at kick line, and I’m not. I’m not any good.”

My daughter had just come home from her first practice with the dance team at school, and although she’d danced for several years at a studio, the school team was different.

“Wait,” I said. “You aren’t good at kick, or you’ve never done it before, so you haven’t learned how to do it yet?” I asked. She paused and looked at me, pondering what I had said. “Because that’s a very big difference. Not being good at something is not the same as not having had the opportunity to practice something new.”

She nodded as an understanding of my words began to sink in. Over the next several weeks, she went to practice determined to learn a new skill. Each day she would come home excited about how she was progressing. I smiled as she told me, “I’m not great yet, but I’m getting there.”

“That’s all you can do,” I said, proud of her for continuing to try.

Scripture tells us that lazy people want a lot but get very little, but those who put in the hard work will prosper. Does that mean we’ll always get everything we want or be the best at something? Not at all. But many things flourish in us when we work hard—things like determination, courage, self-control, and faithfulness—just to name a few. I’m so thankful God allows us to prosper in so many ways when we’re willing to put in the effort.

Kendra

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Is there something you’ve wanted to do but you’ve been discouraged or afraid, unsure if you’ll be any good at it? Determine to take a step, put in some hard work toward your goal, and see what prospers in you.