Keep on ‘A-keepin’ On
Well, now, you gotta’ be ‘a-hurryin’ up an’ ‘a-pullin’ up one o’ them there good porch chairs right over here by this here ol’ rose bush jes’ loaded down with real purty smellin’ red roses, Butterbean, ‘cause we’re ‘bout to git to walkin’ into some holy truth that done gits ta’ stickin’ to your ribs like your grandma’s buttermilk cornbread muffins all slathered up in butter. Romans 5:3-4 is ‘a-remindin’ us that trouble gets ta’ workin’ on you till you done toughen up, toughenin’ up done gets ta’ shapin’ who you are, and who you are done gets ta’ sproutin’ hope like a big ol’ yeller sunflower in July.
You know, Butterbean, this here ol’ life can git ta’ feelin’ like ‘a-tryin’ to be ‘a-teachin’ a real stubborn ol’ mule to be ‘a-doin’ a lil’ ol’ tap dance. But accordin’ to Hebrews 12:1-3, we’re done called to be ‘a-runnin’ our race with that there keep on ‘a-keepin’ on attitude while a whole cloud of witnesses is ‘a-keepin’ on cheerin’ us on. I like to be imaginin’ ‘em ‘a-hollerin’ louder than a lil’ ol’ barnyard rooster that done discovered he can git ta’ crowin’ in three different keys.
Now let me git ta’ tellin’ you a real good story. A young musician was ‘a-wanderin’ ‘round New York City ‘a-askin’ folks how to git to Carnegie Hall. Some feller done told her, “You gotta’ practice, practice, practice.” She was probably ‘a-wantin’ a subway map, but she done got the truth anyway. An’ that there’s jes’ how perseverance works. You don’t git character by ‘a-sittin’ ‘round like a lil’ ol’ possum on a big log. You git it by ‘a-keepin’ on keepin’ on, even when life gits ta’ feelin’ like you’re a-tryin’ to herd a bunch o’ lil’ ol’ squirrels with one o’ them there swimmin’ pool noodles.
Paul done said we can rejoice in tribulation’s troubles ‘cause it done leads us somewhere. It’s that there holy workout plan that done goes ta’ buildin’ up real hope. An’ real hope, accordin’ to Romans 5:5, ain’t gonna’ be disappointin’. God ain’t a-lettin’ us go ta’ flappin’ ‘round like a lil’ ol’ chicken ‘a-blowin’ ‘round in a big ol’ windstorm. He’s ‘a-shapin’ us and ‘a-remindin’ us to be ‘a-keep our eyes fixed real good on Jesus.
So, Buttercup, when that there trouble done comes ‘a-knockin’ like a lil’ ol’ woodpecker with a mean attitude problem, you gotta’ be ‘a-standin’ real firm. Perseverance is that there rope that done ties your soul right up to the doorpost of heaven, and the Lord Himself is ‘a-holdin’ on to the other end.
Father, be ‘a-helpin’ me to keep a-standin’ when life gits real wobbly. Be ‘a-teachin’ me to be ‘a-trustin’ You. Be ‘a-buildin’ perseverance, ‘a-shapin’ my character, and ‘a-fillin’ me with good hope. Be ‘a-keepin’ my eyes fixed real good on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now listen here, Butterbean, when life starts ta’ feelin’ like you’re ‘a-tryin’ to balance on a greased watermelon while a flock of confused turkeys cheers you on, you gotta’ be ‘a-rememberin’ that God ain’t gonna be ‘a-lettin’ you git ta’ wobblin’ for nothin’. Every trial is ‘a-shapin’ you jes’ the same ol’ way a river done shapes a stone. Hope done gits ta’ growin’ best in soil plowed by perseverance. So’s when them winds git ta’ howlin’, you gotta’ be ‘a-plantin’ your feet and ‘a-trustin’ that Jesus is ‘a-walkin’ real close right there beside you. He’s the One who done turns your stumblin’ into real strength, your groanin’ into real growin’, and your trials into real testimonies that done git ta’ shinin’ brighter than a lil’ ol’ lightnin’ bug at a real dark, moonless, midnight hour.
With joy,
Gwen
