Thanks for the help Laughing Boy!

The Crash and Burn

   “I’ve got this, it’s a cinch. I don’t need a safety tether or a “dummy leash” as they call it in the gym.” With confidence I climbed aboard the treadmill and with the touch of a button I set the belt in motion. 

   As I walked, I tried to keep pace with my long legged brother who was on the treadmill next to mine.  We chatted about life and it felt good to get the heart pumping.  All it took was one little trip and that treadmill spit me off and left me in a crumpled heap on the floor. Of course the belt kept going since I had refused to use the tether and my leg got caught under the machine.

   I was so embarrassed! I was sure everyone had seen the large woman in the baggy black sweats get ejected, slick as a watermelon seed in a country fair, spitting contest.  As I pulled my wounded leg from underneath the belt I looked around and was surprised that not one person missed a beat in their routine. It was as if I were invisible. The only one who paid any attention was my brother who was laughing so hard he nearly followed my disastrous example. Humiliated and bruised I climbed back on the walking pad and connected the safety leash to my sweat shirt.

   Fear of failure keeps us from progress in our lives but there is a forever hope of victory.

Philippians 1:6 says, “I am sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus.” (CEB)

 I make bad decisions more often than I care to admit. I get in a hurry or feel like I know what is best, that is when I end up a twisted mess and feel like a failure. Getting back up on my feet and continuing the journey only makes me stronger.

Romans 8: 29- 34 says, “God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After calling them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun. So what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even point a finger? The one who died for us- who was raised to life for us, is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.” (MSG)

    Yes, I just failed in front of everyone. I’m sure I looked absolutely ridiculous, but I would bet my black sweat pants that every one of them has spent a little time on the floor and knows the pain of walking on the treadmill of life. Often times, even my everyday existence is painful but, unlike the gym members or laughing boy on the treadmill next to me, God has set me on a “solid basis with himself” and is there to help me up.

    Did you know that He is your help and is cheering you on to accomplishment? He is not surprised by our failures but stays with us, helping us to stand up and continue walking toward happy success. Don’t worry about what people are thinking, pick yourself up and get back on that treadmill. God is on your side, how could you possibly lose?

Have a Babylonian New Year?

New Year’s Resolution or My Plan to Fail

   This is my least favorite time of year. The weather is cold and dreary, the trees are all bare and gloomy, Christmas is over and the nearest holiday is Easter. Now I feel the need to make decisions about the New Year. I am overcome with frustration.  The feelings of dread and failure have already set in and I haven’t even decided what my new resolutions will be.

   Here’s a little resolution history; the New Year’s resolution dates back to pre-Christian times. It was actually begun by the Babylonians and took place in March. This was a time that everyone resolved to return borrowed objects and pay their bills, hmm, sounds easy enough to me. Then along came the Romans who moved it to January in honor of their god Janus. Janus looked forward to the new and backward to the old. The Puritans came along and took it to another level. They decided this was a time to contemplate the future and not look back. To commit to put their talents to better use, treat their neighbors with charity and avoid habitual sins. Still not too bad, that feels achievable.

   Somewhere in time things went a little screwy and the whole “use your talents, pay your bills, treat your neighbors with charity and avoid habitual sins,” thing entered  a self improvement competition.  Statistics show that thirty five percent of people make unrealistic goals, thirty three percent don’t keep track of them and twenty three forget the goals even exist; I fall in with the twenty three percent. My “no sugar, lose weight” decision is completely forgotten when I see the left over chocolate cake on New Year’s Day. Only eight percent of people successfully keep those goals year round. That means ninety two percent of people fail; sadly I am counted among the feeble masses. One article I read suggested that I “aim low” that way I would actually reach my goal and feel the thrill of accomplishment, does getting out of bed and eating three meals a day count?

   Listed in the history of my own failed attempts are these; be more kind to others, eat less sugar, cut out caffeine, (no caffeine and no sugar cancels out any chance of being more kind to others so beware), lose weight, write every day, be more organized, read the Bible all the way through (sometimes I feel accomplished if I read it once a week) and learn a new language (slang or fun accents do not count). This is my sorry little “ninety two percent” list.

   This year I decided to run things a little differently.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Job 22:28 says’ “what you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.”

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

   I re-evaluate my list and place it before my only hope of being part of the eight percent, Jesus.

 You see, it's not a list but a life that is really at stake here. Every day I face failures and unmet goals. These so called blunders gnaw at my self worth and call me names like lazy, stupid or undisciplined. I end up comparing myself with those I believe to be successful champions and I give up altogether.

   I am so thankful for scriptures like Proverbs 16:9 (In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.) and Isaiah 28: 26 (His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.) 

   I rest confidently knowing it’s not all on my shoulders. His path is  best for me and when I choose it he provides the strength that I need to gradually build success in that area. There is a path of triumph and when I draw my strength and wisdom from him, I am victorious.

   What are your resolutions for the year? Are you willing to place them before the Lord and walk in his direction? His ways aren’t always the path we would naturally choose, but in them there are always strength, progress and fulfillment.