Everyone likes to belong to a club of some sort. I’ve recently been mulling over a club that I’d like to begin: The Failure Club. Does it sound like a club you’d like to join? I could charge dues to belong (that would help out with our expenses). The more I think about it the better this idea is sounding.
So, whom should I invite to belong to my club? Hmmm, how about everyone who feels like they struggle as a parent; like it’s just not as easy as they thought it would be before the child entered the scene, or when they returned from that parenting seminar, or right after they read that revolutionary book on being a great parent. No, I fear that our club might get too big if that was the case. Ok, then how about everyone who has made unwise decisions with their finances, whether it’s falling prey to a convincing sales pitch, over spending, or not giving enough to the needy. I guess that might also be too big (plus I want you to pay a due to be in my club☺). I’ve got it, how about everyone who doesn’t feel like they have much to offer, everyone who senses that they are weak, or everyone who knows deep down that they just don’t pass muster. On second thought, maybe I should forget this whole club idea - I can see how easily it would get out of hand.
I’m pretty qualified to be in this club by the way. Yesterday was a prime example of it. Would you like to review some of my more obvious failures with me? C’mon it might be fun.
1. Sleeping 20 minutes after the alarm went off.
2. Going back to bed after dropping my husband off at work at 6am.
3. Forgetting to spend time with God due to my first two failures.
4. Not printing specific directions to the zoo I was taking two of my children to.
5. Missing the exit for the highway I needed.
6. Not teaching the children who were with me how to read a map.
7. Getting very frustrated with them for not being able to read a map.
8. Driving 20 minutes out of the way before turning around.
9. Not bringing snacks to the zoo. Need I say more?
10. Not remembering the right time my daughter needed to be at the drama club.
11. Hitting every possible road closed and getting lost on the way to the drama club.
12. Not getting gas before the above failure.
13. Comparing myself to a godly example rather than being thankful to God for them.
14. Wallowing in feelings of failure due to #13.
But then I remembered some advice that came our way last week from my pastor. I had received an onslaught of despairing feelings over our present circumstances, fears of the future, along with trying times with my children. Tears were my constant companions for the first three days of the week. My husband emailed our pastor and asked him to pray for me. He mentioned my feelings of failure. I am almost sure that every other time in my life an admission of failure was met with an attempt to build up or reassure and this time was no different. The reply was meant to build up and reassure. I was reassured that yes, I was a failure indeed. Had I not been Christ would not have needed to die for me. I’ve never had a reassurance quite like that! But it proved to be so helpful to me.
So as I sat on the couch recounting my many failures yesterday I remembered the beautiful gospel that says I’m not Ok and that Christ died for my failures. I remembered that I will never be capable of living a perfect life but that Jesus did and God credits me with that life through faith. I remembered a wise quote from a young friend just the day before: “There is freedom in not pretending to be perfect.” I remembered 1st Corinthians 1 that I had read earlier in the week and the notes that I jotted down in the margin.
“ I see six evidences in this chapter that God chooses us. Before I let that puff me up I’d better consider that he chose the foolish and weak so that his power would be displayed, not mine. The gospel is so contrary to human wisdom and that’s one reason that it is so beautiful. Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.
Can I thank God for my failings and weaknesses? My lack of intelligence or giftedness is nothing to him. He can use me however he wants – and when he does we’ll both know who gets the credit.”
After all that remembering I was able to go out and enjoy a date with my wonderful husband.
By the way, if anyone ever tries to get you to join a failure club and wants you to pay dues DON’T DO IT - IT’S A SCAM! You’ve been a member since birth.
Comments
Aug. 15, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by thoughtsandprayers
Thank you for such a great post. Sometimes it is so hard to accept where we are at and the enemy uses that to make us lose focus of where God is bringing us. Praise the Lord-He is in control and the enemy is under our feet! Thanks again! Glad to be a member of His club-Amen! :)
Have a blessed day:)
Bree