Grace for the Builder

And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

- Romans 5:3-4

Here we are,

exactly one year later.

The McCoy Catalog turns 1 today.

I turn 26.

Birthdays slow time down.

They make us sit with ourselves.

Often thinking about

who we are,

who we were,

and who we’re becoming.

And this past year taught me something simple,

but not easy:

Ambition and drive are blessings.

They give us the fuel to keep moving in spite of hurdles,

to build the lives we envision.

God planted those desires so we would live with intention,

not drift without direction.

But sometimes,

just sometimes,

we turn those gifts against ourselves.

Push too hard.

Forget who made us.

Forget He made us in His image,

carefully, intentionally.

He didn’t rush.

He took His time.

I believe that deeply.

And even though I’ve preached about being a builder

and not a drifter,

I’ve learned this too:

We must give ourselves grace.

Ambition doesn’t require cruelty.

Drive doesn’t demand self-punishment.

The goals will come.

The future will unfold.

But only with trust.

Barriers will appear,

they’re supposed to.

They shape us.

So don’t turn harshness inward.

Don’t scold God’s creation just because the ending hasn’t arrived yet.

If it’s meant for us,

it will meet us

in the right season.

All we need right now

is fortitude.

Just fortitude.

That is the goal.

For this year.

For this season.

For this life.