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EN(dur)ANCE by Robin Gudal

I’ve been in the Cities for a few days with my nana hat on. On this recent trip, a pesky bird was visiting their property and decided to decorate the railing and furniture on the deck.

Thus, a plastic owl was purchased to help deter such activity, per Google insight. However, the bird likes it and sits boldly on it and does its business. Our granddaughter is amazed by all the activities outside. Thus, a lot of conversation takes place about the “naughty bird.” Now, the ironic thing is that the bird is a Robin — my namesake!

We humans can know something is meant as a deterrent, yet we are drawn to it and can even find ourselves embracing it. Have you ever fallen into such a pattern? “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” — Romans 7:15, NIV

“It’s easy for me to give up on other people. I see friends, family members, acquaintances, celebrities and my next-door neighbor repeat negative life patterns, and I judge them, and I’m tempted to give up on them. ‘They’ll never change anyway’ I think to myself. It’s also very easy for me to give up on myself.” — Torben Riis Jensen, Blogger with Grace Ministries International

I am thankful for grace that is so generously extended to me, you and all who acknowledge and receive that grace from Jesus. It’s a game changer.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8, NIV

P.S. The bird at this point still has the upper hand and hasn’t given in.

Robin (Beckman) Gudal is intentional in life, wife, momma, nana, friend, a flawed and imperfect follower of Jesus.