I’ll tell ya what … I am sure feeling like a big ol’ failure these past few days. And the worst of it is, I know it’s the enemy sitting on top of me … but I can’t seem to pull free!
Failure as a Christian – I can’t get a grip on my devotional time, scripture time, and even prayer time. I’m so overwhelmed at home that I skipped my weekly mom’s prayer meeting!
Failure as a wife – I’ve been moody, irritated, cranky, and snappy.
Failure as a mother – Repeat of above, but insert being too busy and overwhelmed to spend quality, intentional time with them.
Failure as a daughter – Even though I spent a recent 9 days with my mom, I somehow feel I’m failing her. I somehow feel it’s never enough. I’m too busy with my own life to check in on her.
Failure as a friend – Again … too busy with my own life to check in on friends. To have coffee. To take a phone call. I even forgot this year’s Family Day.
Failure as a blogger – I’m dry. Plain and simple. No time to post, let alone time to write an inspiring post {case-in-point here}.
Failure as a photographer – So behind. So very, very behind. Editing, orders, designs. Behind. And also feeling dry in my inspiration of what I’m capturing. Is that crazy to even admit here … on my photography blog? I somehow feel I should be capturing my clients more beautifully, or my editing should be more flawless.
And then I get a message from someone who is wondering why we should even pray. It all seems hopeless. The bad just keep getting badder. I write and spill my guts to encourage her. She says she wants to end her life … everyday. But I have encouraged her … and my note came at a good time.
Her note makes me strong. It makes me want to fight. It’s easy to give advice sometimes, isn’t it? Much harder to take it!
But I’ll tell ya what … I.am.not. going to let the enemy win. It may take some extra prayer and a few more hours in my day … but I will overcome.
How about you? Are you feeling defeated, overwhelmed, and overcome? Jump aboard the victory train with me … let’s claim it together!! Remember the saying? There’s safety in numbers! Who’s with me?
Awww, Tracie . . . you definitely shouldn’t feel like a failure! You are one busy woman, and something’s gotta give. Be gentle with yourself, and realize that YOU have needs, too. Service to others is important . . . but giving yourself time to breathe is crucial — otherwise EVERYTHING suffers. You’re an amazing Christian, wife, mother, daughter, friend, blogger AND photographer. Trust me.
I am definitely with you on combating the enemy that messes with our ability to see ourselves as the amazing women that we are. :-)
You’re such a blessing, my friend . . .
Yup, I feel ya on those times when you have to fight to believe truth and not sink into vicious cycles of self-deprecation. It’s so easy to believe lies. But thankfully God wants life-giving and good things for us, even when we’re too tired to want them. Keep fighting for those good things in your life! Praying for sweet, unexpected pieces of encouragement and strength for you today!
Aw sweetie!!! NO, NO, NO!!! You are spectacular person in every way!!! DO not start believing this line of thought! In a million years, I would never put the word “failure” in a sentence related to you in any way (in fact, that word wouldn’t be anywhere near the page)!!!
Now as far as believing it of ourselves? Yep, we’ve all been there! And not that I’m doing things perfectly (by NY stretch of the imagination), but lately I’ve come to realize we are human…we can’t do it all. And with that, I’ve been able to ignore the crazy piles of stuff on my desk and the crazy messy house, and instead play my 5000 game of Uno!
I LOVE YOU!!! Please remember how fabulous and amazing you are in my eyes whenever you can’t see that yourself!
Oh, T. I wish I could reach through the Internet and give you a hug. Days like this happen–days where you have to dig deep, take a long breath, and reflect on all the things that are blessing you in your life. Because there are. Really! Take a little time today to relish in the little moments. You are an amazing woman with so much going on; keep fighting forward and make the most of the little things – like @heather’s games of Uno! :) You are loved and admired :: successes, shortcomings and all–people love you for you, not just the things you do.
i know how you’re feeling….it’s been eeking up on me too. then this morning, it kinda hit me. i mentioned it in this morning’s post….even these moments of faux failure are part of the opposition we are supposed to stretch ourselves in order to overcome. as with any good exercise program, we have to trust our instructor. resistance is how muscle is defined and strengthened. opposition is our spiritual resistance. grateful for opposition in all things”
know that you are loved, and you are not alone.
(p.s. i’ve been feeling that way about MY blogging and MY photography lately too…but i’m not as awesome as you are. hang in there. you’re uber talented, seriously like midas’ touch talented, so if YOUR hands are in it you should not feel like a failure!)
::tuesday hugs::
Oh my beautiful girl you are not a failure at anything. I wish you could hear me tell all my friends at all the things you have accomplished in your life so far. And if I know you there are so many more you will still conqueor. As far as letting people down, you have always given so much of your time to your friends and family. You are the one who has MS, now is the time for your family and friends to give back to you. When you were in Israel you didn’t feel the Holy Spirit with you that much. But He was!!! And Satan knows that you came away with alot more then you think you did from that trip. So don’t let him discourage you, and don’t ever think you failed as a daughter. I could not be prouder of you !!!!
i agree with all of the above comments from the ladies….you are the opposite of failure. you succeed in everything you set your mind to. i think you’re just filled to your capacity right now and in a slump of where to start first. when mom posted on her blog that she had so much to do around the house she didn’t know where to start, and someone commented, at the beginning, take baby steps, one at a time!!! you will overcome and defeat the enemy, you are one force he does not want to reckon with. i love you and believe in you.
I second everything that’s been said! While you may be feeling like a failure that is most DEFINITELY NOT a word anyone would use to describe you…ever. You love your family & friends and do everything in your power (and then some!) to help them. You inspire so many of us every. single. day. With or without a blog post. I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re so open & honest. So loving. So giving. So full of life! My friend, you are NOT a failure. My life is brighter with you in it :-)
You have inspired and encouraged me so many times through this blog. So i read this article and just sat and prayed for you. Our common Heavenly Father loves you SO much :) I just feel it :) If I – who lives in another continent, have never (and likely never will) met you, feel your sadness, how much more does God :)
I thank God for you. Let your day be happy :)
I am so with you…will be praying for that breakthrough!
Every day I feel this way! The fact that you KNOW you need to and want to spend more quality time with God is excellent and something I think we all desire. There are many times I lay my head down on my pillow at night and wonder where in the world did the day go?! I feel consumed with guilt because I didn’t accomplish more of the things I had set out to accomplish that day. Its a vicious cycle! God knows your heart and He knows you desire Him. He knows you want to be a good wife, mother and daughter to your loved ones. However, remind yourself that you need to let go of the plans you have for your life and let Him direct your steps. Afterall, He knows we are all human and need His help. Just ask…and He’ll give you, show you, help you, lead you by the hand!
I ditto what Leslie said— be gentle with yourself. It’s a hard hard road we are on… BUT I’m betting if I had a face to face with God with he wouldn’t agree at all with you as a failure… He sees you and believes that you are DOING THE BEST YOU CAN!!!! He calls you a champion and I happen to agree!!!!!