Never Take No for an Answer

martydonnellan.com Jesus' Parable of the Persistent Widow and the ...

I just read a story about an Indian widow with two children who was homeless. She wanted to open a bank account, but she was illiterate and had only 13 cents, so the bank refused. So the woman began learning to read and write and do basic arithmetic at a local after school program run by sisters. After two years she went back to the bank and they let her open an account. After several more years she had the money to build a tiny house for her family. This widow certainly had courage and perseverance. She refused to take no for an answer. 

All women need this kind of determination. If at first you are told no, do what you need to do, until you get a yes. This may be a loan for a house, a job that requires an education, or a law suit ruling that is unjust. Too many times we just give up after the first rejection. You have to do your homework and find out what you need to do in order to reach your goal. 

You may may need a little help. Sisters working in the widow's village in India assisted her in becoming literate. You may need a sponsor who will back up your loan. You may need to apply for a scholarship to go back to college. You may need to find a pro bono lawyer to defend you in court. 

Life is never easy for the poor and vulnerable. They must have the persistence of the widow with the unjust judge in the Bible (Lk 18:1-8). The widow asked the judge to grant her justice against her adversary. He refused her a number of times, but finally he relented because the widow kept bothering him. And Jesus said, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?"

Whatever our need, we have to work hard to achieve it and never give up. Prayer is important but we also have to put our own efforts into it. Never take no for an answer!

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