Maybe you have loved ones you’ve been praying for and have been trying to show the love of Christ for years. And maybe their continual rejection of Him has you discouraged and wondering if you should even try to interest them in the gospel story again this year.

If that’s your situation—and I believe it is for many of you reading this—I have a two-word message for you: Perseverance pays.

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For the Kanakuk Christmas Party last week, I wrote a “last minute” poem that I think will perhaps make you chuckle a bit and maybe even shed a tear. Feel free to watch the video below and read it with your family. I think the family discussion could bring some focus back to the CHRIST of Christmas.

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In recent months, I’ve written about life’s tough times. I’ve said that God is always there, even in the midst of our trials, and that He can bring good out of even the worst of them. But, what if there are other people involved – people who caused our pain and heartache? Then, for the sake of all, and most especially ourselves, we need to learn to forgive. We simply will have no peace and healing until we do.

Let me tell you about a time when I had to forgive a terrible wound.

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Medical issues, friendship difficulties, cultural issues, indescribable social pressures with the recently added electronic and social media barrage lead this youth culture, I am discovering more and more each year, into more anxiety, hurt and suicidal thoughts than I’ve witnessed in 45 years of adolescent counseling.

All is to say, “Growing up can be a painful experience!”

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For those of you whose children (or maybe yourself!) need some encouragement today, let me tell you about a truth to affectionately share with your kids that first opened my eyes and blessed my heart years ago; I hope it will help you and your children too.

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Her beautiful, brown eyes sparkled like the morning dew with numerous tears laced between her carefully manicured, long, black eyelashes. I knew in an instant, as she and her friend Diane lingered before me, that she wanted to—no, she needed to unpack the story behind those tears that caused lines of mascara to run down her soft, brown cheeks.

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A year later, Julia found herself on an operating table once again. This time, a different doctor obtained a good result, and Julia regained her voice.

This doctor warned her, however, to take it easy for 10 days until he was sure her vocal cords were healed and her voice would stay strong; but Julia had other ideas. She decided that if there were any possibility her voice might disappear again, she was going to make the most of the time she had. So she started using her newfound voice as if there was no tomorrow.

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So, in a lifetime of career and personal highlights, on the track and in the Congress, what does Jim point to as the greatest moment of his life? Likely not what you’d expect. He identifies that moment as coming when he experienced probably the most spectacular failure of his running career.

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