The Parent who never gets tired

My son has some issues. They are not severe or even mentionable if you consider the spectrum of things that other parents live with in their children, but they are issues nonetheless.  And I've grown tired of the battle.  In the moment when I feel like despairing, I hear the echo of clinging truth whispered to my soul:
My Father doesn't get tired of my issues; He doesn't get annoyed when I fail in the same way for the hundredth time; He isn't rolling His eyes when I call His name from the other room; He doesn't wish for a moment's peace from my problems that interrupt His schedule.
He loves.  He entreats. He bears with me and forgives. He endures my short comings.  He runs to me and celebrates my victories, never harping on my failures or allowing them to make me less desirable in His eyes.
When I consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful man for my sake (Heb. 12:3), He gives me motivation and strength to keep going with my children, to keep trying to do good without growing weary.  My struggles begin to feel light and momentary (2 Cor. 4:17-18).  The eternal weight of glory becomes fixed in my eyes and the reality of my Prize comes bearing down on my heart and I am suddenly lifted.  My own strength and motivation to do good fail so fast, but God is strength of my heart and my portion forever (Ps. 73:26).

Enough

Enough

What if your life is an illustration?
Beginning to end, a picture for the rest of the world,
To see the light of God, his truth, his love.
Would it be enough?
He WILL fulfill his purpose, the glory of His name,
Would you be willing to sacrifice your fame?
To never see the end, the culmination of your work,
To lay it on the altar, slay the dreams you've had since birth.
Would it be enough?
If He allowed your wife, your kids, your home, to flee or die or burn;
And the only thing left to you was the solace of His Word.
Would it be enough?
If the kingdom is your treasure, your all, and your prize,
the answer then is yes, He has removed the scales from your eyes.
If the answer is a no, then what WOULD be enough?
Do you only love God when He keeps you healthy, wealthy, and wise?
If He made you, then He'll do with you as He decides, even if it seems unfair on this side.
He loves you ENOUGH to strip away the false idols you hold so dear;
Most of the time, through pain and tears, you will see the Kingdom come near.

Though He slay me

In your blessing there is pain
Everything is torn away.
Unveiling the savage beast within,
Shameful, dark, hideous in frame.
Make and mold, form and cast
That old heart has beat its last.
In its place, a new creature
Birthed by grace and glorious in nature.
Perfection not to be gained now
But holding tight to Him I vow:
Here I'll live and die and break
this hold the beast will not forsake
Without a fight for life and soul;
Wage the war, take not a rest,
the Prize is coming in but a breathe.