"On Stamina"

"You certainly have stamina," my client said as he walked by.  I laughed.  It was that nervous laugh that spills out of my mouth upon realizing I have been given a compliment, and I am left speechless, with no words with which to respond.

The task at hand was to clean up the beds, cutting back spent vegetation as new growth is already beginning to appear.  The weather has been cold the past few days, with temperatures dipping down into the 'teens in the garden I was working in, 1000 feet above the valley floor.  It has begun to warm up and, after spending time being house-bound, it felt good to get outside and accomplish some physical work.

Even so, the ground was still frozen in the shade.  I had come prepared, covered in several layers of clothing, including double thicknesses of both gloves and socks.  I had been working about 4 hours, manually plowing through masses of still frozen dead growth, cutting it back with my hand scythe when the comment was made.

While nervous laughter was my audible response, my first thought was, “You should see my spiritual stamina.”  The passing comment and ensuing thought set my mind in gear.  What does that word even mean?  As so often happens with words, I had the concept, the general idea, but nothing I could put into an intelligible description.  And do I really have spiritual stamina?  Or am I just playing mental word games? 

stamina:  the energy and strength for continuing to do something over a long period of time; power of sustained exertion, or resistance to hardship, illness, etc.

Stamina is solid, a silent force like a heartbeart, which brings with it fulfillment and completion; it is neither showy nor glossy and does not draw attention.

As with all things in life, those areas where stamina is exhibited is going to be uniquely individual.  Stamina exposes will and resolve as well, true grit, as it were; the two go hand in hand.   

The final leg of 50k

One of my daughters ran a 50k trail race this past October.  As I told a friend of her accomplishment, the response was, “You mean 5k?”  No, it was 50k.  She traversed a trail which carried her 32 miles and took 7 hours and 45 minutes.  The last mile of it was a vertical climb up steps.  That takes stamina.  This same daughter has run 6 marathons, including one in Chicago, and more half-marathons than she can count.  

I know another woman, one in her late 70’s, who is the personification of stamina, manifest in different circumstances.  For her, 2014 was the year which she spent facing and dealing with the kind of diagnosis all dread—a rare, fast-growing cancer.  I am quite certain you either know of someone with a similar experience or it is one in your own life. 

She endured two surgeries, a regimen of chemotherapy followed by radiation; loss of hair, energy, and strength.  I have no doubt the will to live was questioned as well.  This vibrant, active woman’s life was ground to a halt.  One who loves to walk and garden, those activities were shut down as she went through the process laid out for her.

As she enters 2015, I see her once again, striding down the sidewalks, a walking stick in hand “just in case.”  Vegetables are appearing on my doorstep as she shares her lush garden.

That is stamina.

And what is spiritual stamina?  It is no different from physical stamina except the goal, the end result differs. 

I am of the belief that when it comes to spiritual aspirations we are given exactly what we are willing to settle for.  If a relationship with God is not important, then why should that be given?  If truth, knowing and manifesting love and wisdom, forgiveness and peace is not something one strives for, then what value would it have if it was handed over?    

And this is where spiritual stamina comes into play.  It is searching, seeking, asking, and digging in with all of one’s heart, soul, and mind, with every part of your being, never giving up.  It is no different from the physical except for the objectives, personal and individual as well.

My spiritual goals are lofty and very personal; I’ll not share them with you.  They are very specific as I deal with my Creator.  And after examining the meaning of that word, I have concluded that I do have spiritual stamina.   

And back to where these thoughts began--I got the iris bed cleaned up before I quit for the day too.  I would say stamina and perseverance go hand in hand as well.


"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind."