She Had No Quit
“But I want you to keep your head no matter what happens. Don’t give up when times are hard. Work to spread the good news. Do everything God has given you to do.” 2 Timothy 4:5
Industrious. Positive. Determined. These are words that describe my grandmother. A farmer’s daughter who became a farmer’s wife, she did not lead an easy life. But it was a fruitful one.
The Sandy community, where both my grandparents lived most of their lives, is in the southwest corner of Oklahoma. The gritty soil is basically good for growing one cash crop–cotton. Beyond that (especially back in the day) it was simply a good place to get your car, or even tractor, stuck.
Sometimes when I’m out for a long run and I think I can’t go any farther, I picture my grandmother—headed out to the hen house in the middle of the night with her favorite hoe—because something was after her chickens.
She HAD NO QUIT. It just wasn’t in her nature.
This is what the Apostle Paul wanted to impress upon his young protege, Timothy: whatever happens, don’t quit. Fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12); fan into flame the gift of God which is in you (2 Timothy 1:6); endure hardship like a good soldier of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3).
Isn’t it amazing when someone’s name describes their character? This was certainly true for Timothy. His name means, “honoring God” or “honored by God.” My grandmother’s first name was Eunice, which means “good victory.”
I can honestly say she “fought the good fight of faith” and completed everything the Lord gave her to do. And she did it with a positive attitude.
It’s understandable to worry a little, but you must remain positive—even if you don’t feel like it. (Eunice Estes)
Grandmother died in 2012 at the age of 100, after spending the last 30 years of her life legally blind. Yet she rarely complained about anything.
Still today, I hear her cheerful voice saying something like, “Everything’s gonna be alright.” And I believe it.
So, please stay strong, my friends. Don’t. Give. Up.
“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
David Duncan is an elementary music teacher in Oklahoma. He has a bachelor’s degree in music from Cameron University, and a master’s degree in religious education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a second master’s in educational leadership.
David is an ordained Southern Baptist minister. He was a full-time minister for 14 years before becoming a teacher in 2004.
He and his wife, Nancy, live in southwest Oklahoma where they have raised three grown sons. He enjoys writing music. In addition to his 39 self-published songs, he also has written 215 blog posts found at the link below. You can find his music videos found at the link below.
Blog: https://davidsdailydose.org/
Music Videos: https://youtube.com/channel/UC3HDgrpsLaCYywrOvknFygA
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