Do not grow weary~

Galatians 6:9 has been an encouragement to me throughout the years. I want to share it with you all so that you might be encouraged also, "Do not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we reap reap a harvest if we do not give up." These words have given me life and hope for many years now.
Alot of people view minstry as something that will keep them on the right path. They think of minstry as something that is always fulfilling and always self satisfying. The truth is that ministry can be all of these and more, but it also comes with pain, trials, and suffering. There have been times when I myself have thought about 'Giving Up.' Anyone that truly ministers (Not just preach, teach and share, but invest their lives daily in ministering and discipling others) would honestly say the same.
Last October our family had a young man come into our home to disciple and bring up in Christ. We knew going in, and had been forwarned that there would be 'Bumps' in the road. Yes, there were 'Bumps' in the road, but there were also blessings. This past monday Jacob recieved early termination of probation. Upon receiving this termination he chose to go back to where he came from. We had enrolled him and got him started in college. However; with the Pell Grant he received he thought he could make it on his own.
Most of us would probably say "We tried it, and it did not work so thats the end of that." We all had alot of good times and some down times while Jacob was with us. I merely encouraged him (as I did the rest of my family) to take in all the good that took place and disregard anything negative that one might have experienced. Then I blessed him and will continue to pray that one day he will come back and say "Thank you....you made a difference in my life."
This is what ministry is all about. Good when its good and heart wrenching when its not. Was it easy to say goodbye? "No." God has a plan though and if I approach life and relationships with one thing in mind it will be this "God, use me. Whether through good, tests, or trials, allow me to not give up as Your Son did nto give up on mankind. Stay the course. Do good, and in the end we will rep a harvest~