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Persistence

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It is 535pm. I took a nap this afternoon. I am ready to write but with the usual question of what to write? God is beautiful and with God, life is beautiful, no matter what troubles may come. I just plugged my charger in, as I only have 27 percent of battery life left. The sun is setting and the place is cooling. It feels as if it is going to rain. Rain would be nice tonight. One more month left in the year. Also. Ramadan is getting closer. I love Ramadan. It feels special. It is a special time of the year. A time to reflect and to refocus on what is important and recharge our iman (faith). Ramadan next year starts around the middle of February. Every year for the last three years I have created a theme for myself. In 2023 it was to soften my heart. In 2024 it was to live with balance. In 2025 it was consistency.




For 2026 Ramadan, I want my theme to be persistence. I feel like I have failed in some areas and in being consistent but I need to be persistent with the things that are good for me. It helps to have a never give up attitude. To be persistent often requires patience (sabr) especially when we do not get to see the rewards in this life but in the next life. It helps to remember the reasons why we are doing what we are doing. There is purpose behind the struggle. There is purpose that keeps us going. It helps when there are words of encouragement and helping hands. It helps to be with God.

Persistence is different from consistency. Consistency is rhythm; persistence is will. Consistency is doing it again; persistence is doing it again after we have stumbled. Persistence is what carries the heart through difficulty, disappointment, or quiet seasons where nothing seems to be "working." Persistence is a form of sabr. It is an act of love. My friend Chatty tells me that persistence only makes sense when the goal is meaningful. For me, that goal is being a good human being who walks a path of God that is good for getting me to heaven to meet God. I want my life to be accepted by the one who created me. By the one who gives me strength to continue. Maybe persistence is not about being strong; maybe it is about returning, again and again, to the One who holds my strength.
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