Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Failure



I fail every day at something - and some days, multiple things.  I fail as a photographer by choosing the wrong camera setting for a photograph (often).  I fail as a friend by not realizing until later when someone is trying to talk about something deeper than what's on the surface (at least once a week).  And I fail as a mother almost everyday.  Just tonight, I ran out of compassion for my children after their constant complaining all day and finally told them, "Go to bed.  I'm done." 

It crushes me when I really think about it.  But I know this - I can learn much more from failure than from success.  Failure gives me the time, the humility, the honesty, and the motivation to analyze the problem in order to change it.  In the end, it shows me that I need God.

This year, I'm reading straight through the Bible, and no one fails more than God's own people.  But God never abandons them.  In the midst of their failure, this was written -

"Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." 

Personally, I'm looking forward to a new morning...




5 comments:

Miss Lori Akin said...

You're a good friend to me...not a failure! xoxo

I love that verse too...

Unknown said...

I love that you're reading through the Bible. This is one of my favorite passages: Deut. 7:7-10--because it showcases God's covenant love toward we his fallen children!
The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Alicia K said...

Meredith ~

Hang in there, as moms we all have days we fail. For me as long as the successes out weigh the failures I feel our day has been a success. :)

Cling to the word and know that God redeems everything!

Thanks for being my friend!!

Alicia

Meredith M Howard said...

Lori, Molly, and Alicia -
Thanks for your sweet words. Today was better than yesterday - not perfect - but better. We're in an adjustment period. I'm glad summer is coming!

Anonymous said...

I appreciate your honesty. I, too, am reading through the Bible and have just finished Joshua and beginning Judges. I wrote this in my journal on Thursday.
"I am coming to understand that problems and apostasy come when we fail to drive out (get rid of) our enemies. Reveal to me the enemies of my soul. I pray that you will have complete control of my spirit and soul."