We may hear this expressed to us or we may even say it to ourselves.
This statement could be relevant to our lives in so many areas. It could be as simple as don’t give up in a race.
It could be don’t give up on a marriage, or a relationship. It could be our employment.
It could be, don’t give up, when we receive some devastating news regarding our health.
When I am preparing couples for their future marriage, we speak about the ups and downs of their future.
The words in the ceremony ‘for better for worse’ are so challenging because they (couple) just don’t know what lies in front of them.
But one would hope they would keep saying to themselves – don’t give up, when the struggles are apparent.
Recently I had the wonderful experience of being with a friend of mine for several days and he is virtually a full-time carer for his wife.
His life is dedicated to looking after her and making her life as happy and as enjoyable as possible.
I am sure there would be times when he is challenged by these words, don’t give up, I certainly never witnessed it.
It was always the caring, happy, understanding husband.
There is no doubt that love is an amazing gift and power to enable people to do wonderful if not heroic acts of kindness.
If we look for support in the scriptures we can find it in the Letter of Paul to the Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Paul urges us to be patient in helping one another through the stumbles and struggles of life.
Maybe it is also part of carrying each other’s hardships.
Don’t give up, will be relevant to all of us in some way.
Whether we are expressing it as encouragement to someone or we need to hear it from someone.
In either circumstance we can take heart in the words of Paul. That we are not only doing good but there is a harvest awaiting us.
Father Michael Morley
Parish Priest
Sacred Heart Parish Tatura
