Have you ever played tug of war with a rope and a dog? Let me tell you what.. the tenacity of a dog who wants to win? They will WEAR YOU OUT. Lol. I think surely I am stronger than this dog. But it's not the strength that is counting.. it's the tenacity they have to see it through and keep on keepin' on until you tire out. Tenacity is how we hang on - sometimes for our life.

The definition of tenacity. 
Tenacious. Webster says:not easily stopped or pulled apart, firm or strong
continuing for a long time
very determined to do something

A few years ago I felt the opposite of all of these things. I felt like things were pulling apart for me. I did NOT feel strong. I wanted to quit. I didn't feel determined to continue. I felt determined to lay down and just give up and cry. But I knew that wasn't a solution. And as hard as it was to hang on during the hard times, I did. I so wanted to give up and give in, but I didn't. I knew if I could get past the season I was in, it would get better. Life has so many seasons. So often we want summer, but we keep getting one winter after another. I tell my kids this all the time - life ebbs and flows. And even when things are hard, hang in there. IT WILL TURN AROUND. And it does!

And it's a few years now - all of those winters I about froze through. But I endured them. Like a dog with a rope, I was NOT letting go. I knew that if I continued on, though I was tired and didn't feel like I could - if I just held on another day, and another day - it would turn around. Tenacity gets you there. And trust me when I say those winters seemed never-ending when I was in them. But before I knew it after hanging on so long... was that the ground started thawing and life resurfaced... lo and behold... summer. Of course, we don't see it until we get on the other side of our struggle and pain. And then we can finally look back and say, man.. I don't know how I made it through all that, but I DID!

Whatever you're facing. Whatever season you are in. Even if it's another winter - and last winter was back to back with this one. Hang on and keep on hanging on. Push through. Only way IS through. And once you get on the other side of it? Pride. And pride YOU EARNED.

Be tenacious. <3