Too Soon To Quit

Have you had times in your life (perhaps recently) when the idea of packing it in and quitting seemed like a good thing? There have been some interesting political candidates who perhaps felt that way at one time or another. Hopefully Sarah Palin will not. Dan Quayle did. Do you remember Ross Perot? Although I thought him to be somewhat strange, he did say something rather profound: "Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit on the on the one-yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game, one foot away from a winning touchdown."

A Child's Hope International has a clear mission (you can read it on our web site). Although it is clear, the mission is hard and it takes work. Especially when we try and focus the time, talents and treasures of others on helping children who cannot help themselves. Seems like it is a lot easier to do nothing than to do something good.

On this subject, the Apostle Paul encouraged us, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
I like how Steve May reflects upon this. The "proper time" sometimes takes a little longer to arrive than we like. And sometimes it feels like the proper time will never arrive. This is when we need to engage our faith. It's when we need to determine to dig in and stick around a little longer. It's never a good time to quit.

The Christian life -- and more specifically, the ministry -- consists of overcoming one defeat after another. That's because we're in a spiritual battle and everyday we confront the enemy. We may lose a little ground from time to time, but we will not lose the war. We have been promised victory -- a harvest of righteousness -- if we do not give up. It's always too soon to quit even when others we know and have trusted, have quit on us. The excuses they offer can be real sources of discouragement but only if we let that happen.

We have updated the web site (http://www.achildshopeintl.org/) with information about the Haiti Pack-A-Thon on Sept 26-27. Take a look and let me know what you think. Through the incredible devotion of the Kids Against Hunger team, Kroger Stores have loaned their vacant store in Liberty Township to us for the Pack-A-Thon . The Apostle Paul was right, let us not become weary in doing good . I believe that we will pack nearly 300,000 meals that weekend for the children of Haiti. Many of the Coalition of Care churches will be there along with others from the community. We will reap a harvest if we do not give up. I like that.