“I don’t care what you pick, but pick something!”
My eleven year old son had become one with the couch. I could barely distinguish where his body ended and the cushions began. Mr. Negativity booed every suggestion I made. Finally, I passed a mandate. He’d have to find some sort of activity. His choice—but at least something.
He tried a variety of instruments from horns to reeds only to discover not only a dearth of talent but a complete lack of interest.
Thankfully, the drums fell into the latter category. We suggested perhaps music was not his thing. He tried track, dropping out in mid season when he gasped for breath just doing the fifty-yard dash. He played hockey for one season but tired of sitting on the bench because the coach only played the better skaters.
The list of failed attempts grew—sometimes because of poor effort and sometimes because adults failed to encourage him. Then he went out for the swim team. He never became a fast swimmer, but as his strength increased, so did his endurance. He became a competent, long distance swimmer, usually placing well enough to earn his team a few points. He advanced his skills to become a lifeguard and camp counselor. “He’s the best swimming instructor they’ve got,” one woman remarked. He learned that failure was merely the opportunity to try something else.
Our Father knows we are not the brightest kids on the block, yet He still gives us the power of free will. After a few blunders, we eventually learn to place our trust in His perfect wisdom. We may even come to the realization that God actually knows what is best for us and seek His will before making life-changing decisions.
The Abraham who was willing to sacrifice Isaac was not the same Abram who left Ur of the Chaldeans. As he grew in the knowledge of God’s ways, he learned to wait on God, knowing that He will bring to pass what He has promised.
Failure is a teacher that forces us to evaluate and redirect. We grow by falling down, standing up, and trying again. But, when we fail, God does not leave us crying face down in the dirt. He puts His loving arms around us, picks us up, and dusts us off. He may send us right back into the game or encourage us to try something different. With each attempt, we learn to trust Him a little more.
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A CHURCH PLANTER'S WIFE
1/23/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Meredith Kendall
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AM I STRESSED?
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NO TURNING BACK
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A SILVER MEDALLION
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Coming Home For Christmas
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LIVING WITHOUT REGRET
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SOARING WITH BROKEN WINGS
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HOMELESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
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HAIR CALAMITIES AND HOT CASH
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THE PUTTING GREEN WHISPERER
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