You would think that day three of my walking would be easier than the first two but it’s just not so.  I have walked a mile every day (and added some steps throughout the day) and it has made my spirit feel good.  My body on the other hand is a different story.  There was a crispness in the air this morning as I began and it encouraged me to walk at a brisker pace.  By a quarter of a mile into my walk I was panting like a dog on a hot summer’s day.  I wanted to turn around on my heels and go right back to where I started and quit for the day.  But I was reminded of scripture that helped me finish my daily goal.  Romans 5:3-5 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”  I believe this scripture can be applied to many areas of our lives, and this certainly applied to me this morning.  I am beginning to see that my personal goal of walking 3 miles a day is supporting the larger goal of building relationships with women who have similar goals (to be fit, both physically and spiritually).  Sometimes we have to suffer, but if we persevere we will build character and then find that there is hope for us all.  My hope is that any woman who has given up will claim this verse with me and set her own goal.  Then take one step at a time, one mile at a time and persevere.  Don’t give up.  There is hope for all of us through the Holy Spirit.