Do you remember Sam?  The sparrow that had been pecking on the front window a few weeks ago?  Its been about 6 weeks now and Sam is still pecking on the window  even as I speak, I hear Sam tapping on the window as I write this jlog.  Tapping, tapping, tapping, tapping.  Tapping in the morning.  Tapping at noon.  Tapping in the late afternoon.  Tapping!!!!  Tapping!!!!!   TAPPING!!!!!  You get the picture.

When we think of persistence, we normally think of the positive consequences of this trait in getting accomplished what you are working on.  It was the persistence of the woman who was asking for legal protection over and over again to a wicked judge that caused the judge to give the woman what she asked for (Luke 18)  We find that when we are persistent in our prayers answers will come.

But what about the negative consequences of persistence?  The picture below depicts the consequences of Sam being at our window day in and day out.  He/she leaves droppings that are seen on our window ledge and concrete below.

The consistent pecking and tapping on the window has turned a funny and curious sound into a very irritating sound.  It has prompted us to go outside a few times and try to scare Sam off to no avail.  Every quality has positive and negative consequences attached to the quality.  There are positive consequences of persistence as well as negative ones.

It’s my choice which quality I think and meditate upon.  If I dwell on the negative consequence of persistence, my actions will be much different than if I were to dwell on the positive consequences of persistence.  My choice will determine my attitude about a quality that is being manifest, whether it be kindness, love, dependability, loyalty, etc.

On this journey I am going to choose to look at the positive aspects of persistence of Sam and appreciate the joy I get in hearing Sam outside chirping as I write and the tapping, tapping, etc.