Yesterday was about measuring success.

Today let’s talk about Measuring Progress.

Two steps forward and one step back is progress. Over time, you will still get to where you are going. Sometimes it doesn’t happen as quickly as you want.

You might regress a bit, revert to a previous state, or return to spot while still, in the big picture, be making progress.

I read a book a couple of years ago “Start More Than You Can Finish” by Becky Blades https://www.beckyblades.com/

and it really shifted my perception….

of myself!

I sometimes start things and don’t finish them and can beat myself up over it. I can certainly learn something from making a commitment and following through. But, not everything I try is for me.

Maybe that is why I didn’t keep up with baton twirling when I was in elementary school. I took a class at the YWCA. I had fun and learned how to move the baton through my fingers — I still can!!!! But, that was the beginning and the end of my interest.

I thought I wanted to be a lifeguard and so I started working toward that in high school but then I just didn’t love the water that much. I still don’t. I like a jacuzzi. I am happy to hang out in a lake or ocean and go snorkeling but I am not a swimmer for swimming’s sake.

Sometimes a new project reminds me of an old project and I find my way back to it. Sometimes things just need a bit more incubation time before they are ready to be fully explored. Sometimes it is just a season of life.

You didn’t mean to set down that book your started to read or write but something interrupted you and you never got back to it. Life can be like that!

I want to encourage you to take some big steps back when you are measuring progress. Don’t get so focused on the immediate results that you can’t see the bigger picture.

One thing that strikes me about God is that He is the God of generations. He is the Creator. We each have our own bents and inclinations and He works in and through those. I am far harder on myself than He is on me. He knows my flaws so well and, yes, He wants me to leave sin behind. But, He also knows that I am a sinful human operating in a world filled with sin.

He loves me. And, He loves you!

Your progress is imperfect. Your life’s journey might be bungled with mistakes — I am sure that is the case for everyone. But the love God has for you is extensive and true. Rest in His grace. Keep moving forward in love — for yourself and for those around you.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. [Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV]