Fail

I think we all have seasons where we feel like we're not really succeeding at anything. Sometimes the world can make us feel like we are making no forward progression, or that we are, in fact, failing.

I'm smack dab in the middle of that season. My work performance is mediocre. My house is not condemnable, but is cluttered and dirty. My food intake is borderline catastrophic. My gym time lacks umph. I'm a distant and noncontributing friend, a lazy pet owner, and an "okay" wife at best. My coursework for college is completed last minute in an effort to at least get some credit.

The solution is not a new organization system, a new vitamin regimen, or reading a motivational book.

I feel like I'm failing in all of these areas because I'm striving to please the world. I'm striving to be a more fit and strong woman, a more social friend, and the good housekeeping version of a great wife. When we work to please the world, we will always feel as if we are falling short. Dinner could always be more creative. The house can always be cleaner. Our friends can always use more support. Work can always be done more efficiently. However, God does not ask us to be efficient. God does not ask us to be extraordinary chefs, bodybuilders, and maids.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. ~Colossians 3:23

There will always be times where we feel like we cannot find our place in this world.Times when we don't fit in at the office, at the coffee shop, at the local pub, and sometimes not even in our own homes.  This rings especially true to me after visiting an old haunt last night to celebrate after my brother's wedding. I remembered how many days I wasted there trying to find my place in the world, and I remembered how much I always want to give drunk people a nice shove and watch them flail around for stability. (I suppose that's not a very nice thing to say) The good news is there is always a place for us. No matter how bruised and broken we may become by the trials of day to day life, and no matter how many places we visit and feel as if we don't "fit in," we never have to change in order to "fit in" with the Lord.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ~Romans 12:2

Work to fulfill God's calling, live to please Him, and perhaps this feeling of repetitive failure will subside.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. ~Philippians 4:13