Hanging in There

"A woman is like a tea bag- you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water". Eleanor Roosevelt ,US diplomat & reformer; wife of Franklin Roosevelt; niece of Theodore Roosevelt(1884 - 1962)



"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
Franklin D. Roosevelt, quoted Kansas City Star, June 5, 1977 32nd president of US 1933-1945, US Democratic politician; Democratic vice-presidential candidate 1920; governor of New York 1929-1933; founded New Deal program (1882 - 1945)


Sometimes I think this is the way it is with me, I am hanging in there. I seem to answer the question, "How are you?, a lot with, "I'm hanging in there." Is this my theme song for life? Is this how I see myself just hanging in there? And just what does it mean? And who started the saying anyway? Do I want people to feel sorry for me? Am I saying I am a person of importance by saying I am hanging in there?

Right now I am working hard being moved to a new church. Just about all the staff had quit before I got there, except for the secretary. I have been going through the process of interviewing, and hiring process. Its a new process for me. So am I hanging in there or learning something new, stretching myself, being challenged?

We have had a lot of meetings of the various committees to find out where things are and what needs to be done. We are starting to pick up the pace now to doing somethings. So am I hanging in there or being a leader?

We have 2 worship services and 1 bible study that take a lot of preparation time, like right now I am finishing up the bible study for tonight. Am I hanging in there or am I studying, learning, teaching, and inviting others to study the bible to make it an important part of their life?

Over about a 2 year period people quit coming over what was happening here. A big group of people. It had been awhile since they had had visitors or new members. We are having visitors, people coming back and staying, and had 6 join the church with 2 baptisms. I have bene going to visit and encouraging others to visit these people and others, and to invite people to come. Am I hanging in there or am I out telling others about Jesus, am I encouraging members to be out inviting others, am I helping change the attitude or a congregation from negative to positive.

We moved away from friends, and the familiar for the kids and us. Yet the kids already have friends at church and school. They are doing well at school. They are reading, playing, discussing, playing some more, dancing, going to church and the other activities. Am I hanging in there or am I parenting my kids for what is their wellbeing, am I spending time with them, am I helping them through this transition.

I could go on, but it seems I need to answer this, am I hanging in there or am I living.

Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. "

Why can't I just say I am living.

Hey "How are you?"

I am living.