Applaud Tenacity

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." — Galatians 6:9
 
Have you ever celebrated someone for simply not quitting?
 
I recently watched the movie about young George Washington. One thing struck me more than anything else: he met with rejection and failure at every turn. Growing up, his first military command, his early ambitions. Defeat after defeat after defeat.
 
But he never gave up. He kept on keeping on in the face of opposition.
 
That kind of tenacity deserves applause.
 
We tend to celebrate outcomes. We cheer for the winner, the successful, the one who crossed the finish line first. But sometimes the most encouraging thing you can do is recognize someone who's still in the race even though they haven't won yet.
 
"Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:3).
 
Maybe you have a child who loves athletics but isn't particularly gifted. They're not the star, they're not getting the trophies, but they keep showing up. Point that out. That tenacity will produce fruit in whatever they pursue for the rest of their lives.
 
Maybe you know someone whose business keeps struggling, whose marriage keeps hitting walls, whose faith keeps getting tested. They haven't arrived, but they haven't quit either.
 
Tell them you see it. Tell them it matters. Applaud the tenacity. It might be exactly what keeps them going.