Stay enthusiastic; don’t let anything rain on your parade

You stumbled and fell. Yet, you picked yourself up and persevered.

Someone didn’t want you. Cast to the side, you were counted out. But you kept hope alive, believing for a better future.

There seemed to be no way out of your adverse situation. Still, you had faith that God could intercede and make a way for you to reach your full potential.

Perhaps, people made fun of and laughed at you. But no one is laughing now.

You are on the threshold of seeing your dreams come true. Now is the moment. The hour is at hand. It’s your time to claim an extraordinary life.

God has a plan for you and He is fulfilling that plan right now. He is going to take you further than you ever thought possible.

God will make up for all the tears that were shed and the years that were lost. For He is whispering in your ear: “For I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

God is going to advance you, bless you, and give you the desires of your heart.

Yet, sometimes, we can miss the opportunity of a lifetime, because we quit just an instant too soon. Maybe the pace is going slow, and our aspirations are taking longer than we expected to transpire.

Otherwise, we’re still holding on to the disappointments of the past. Or, we are allowing a person with their own motives to impede our success.

And although we’ve invested a lot of time and energy trying to realize a dream, we decide to “settle,” letting fears or self-deprivation cause us to turn back, not realizing how close we were to great success when we gave up.

Years ago, when I worked at my first job in radio advertising, it was a commission-only position.

However, for the first year, the company started employees out with a small, weekly salary.

Then, after six months, the salary was cut in half. So, after the first anniversary of my employment, my small salary was completely taken away and thereafter, I was only to be paid commission on what I sold.

At that time, I recall being a bit apprehensive and uncertain about the future.

“How will I pay my rent?” “Should I find another position?” I questioned myself.

Looking back, I could have easily left my job, letting my mind wonder on all the reasons “why” I should yield. But I loved the radio business and my clients, so with a strong work ethic, I forged ahead.

In the 12 years that followed, everything worked out even better than I anticipated, as I enjoyed a long and rewarding career with the company.

I’ve heard it said that, “The most difficult time is right before the victory.”

Thus, don’t allow negative thoughts to prey on you, trying to throw you off of your game.

For I have found that when the enemy sees the opportunity to do so, he likes to sow seeds of discord.

The key, I believe, lies in remembering the last lines to one of my favorite poems called “Don’t Quit”:

“And you never can tell how close you are / it may be near when it seems so far.

So, stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit / it’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.”

Yes, obstacles will test your resolve. Some people might try to rain on your parade.

And the way ahead may be challenging. But take it one step further. Stay in the race. Continue being industrious, believing that you will ultimately prevail.

In the Bible, I read where Peter told how a goldsmith would place the metal into the furnace just long enough to remove any impurities. The goldsmith then would pour out the liquid gold and create an exquisite piece of value and beauty.

Similarly, we may not be sheltered from our difficulties, because we need them for our spiritual growth, and they prepare us for future glory.

I like the verse in Romans 5:3-5 that says, “We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.”

Difficulties mold us, strengthen our character and shape us for the blessings to come.

And, as the goldsmith is near to his ore, God is close to us, His loving eyes upon us, and His strong hands guiding us.

I remember when my family and I went to New York City to see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio

City Music Hall.

The next day, we walked around the city and window shopped. There, the girls marveled at the skyhigh buildings, the nonstop, bustling traffic and the smell of hot dogs being cooked on almost every corner.

As we walked on the street near Central Park, we saw horse-drawn carriages.

I pointed, “Look girls. Look at the horses!”

Walking closer to them, my middle daughter asked, “Why do the horses have shields on the sides of their eyes?”

I explained that the leather shields allow the horses to only see straight ahead. Therefore, when they walk on the street amid the heavy traffic, the eye shields help the horses to stay focused and not be distracted.

Likewise, as you approach this important time in your life, you must not lose your laser-sharp focus. Free your mind from trivial annoyances.

Release doubts and fears. And do not be consumed with past hurts, which can hold you back from your destiny.

I like the advice of the famed Canadian physician, Sir William Osler, who suggested, “Draw a circle around one 24-hour period of time and don’t bother your mind with worries about what you need to accomplish outside of that.”

You’ve sacrificed, waited, persevered and prayed, and now God’s unseen hand is going to move you along a brand-new, wonderful path. Don’t let anything rain on your parade.

Your dreams are right within your grasp. So, step over into your glorious, new future. An extraordinary life is yours.