• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

    Thriving Mamas

    For mamas who want to thrive, not just survive.

    • Home
    • About
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Contact

    November 29, 2018 By Jen 6 Comments 0

    What My Failures Tell Me

    As I reflect on the craziness of my previous year, I feel some discouragement over the ways I failed at my job. My To-Do list remains unfinished, projects left incomplete and meetings postponed and canceled. For someone who likes to dot the “i’s” and cross the “t’s,” this bothers me.

    Honestly, I don’t have to look very hard to see where I failed. It’s not a stretch to conclude some of the following statements: “I am not enough!” “I should have been able to do more!” “I am bad.” “Other people would have done much better!” “I can’t do anything right.” and, finally, “Someone else should be doing my job.”

    The reality is, these statements contain some truth mixed in with lies and distortions. I embrace the fact that God has me where I am for a reason. I can take a deep breath and let that sink in. God also has you where you are for a reason.

    It helps to separate some of the truth behind my failures and shortcomings. First of all, I prioritized my family. I helped my children transition to a new school and plug into a new community. I cared for a sick husband. I took time to be with my kiddos when they were sick and home from school. I made time to build joy with my family with sweet moments together in the midst of our chaos. We created memories as I lived in the moment.

    While I did not do any of this flawlessly, I tried. I made it my goal to focus on relationships instead of tasks. Along the way, I discovered new areas that need some improvement. I hope I can see new growth as I reflect on some of these things next year. I am learning to be tender with my weaknesses.

    Here is more good news. You still have a month left in 2018. How would you like to close out your year? What do you value? What will you be glad you did or didn’t do? Whom do you want to see, call, or spend time with?

    As we enter the busiest month of the year with family gatherings, shopping, parties and Christmas celebrations, it is all-too-easy to get caught up in a long list of “shoulds.” What would you like to see when you look back on this season of your life?

    It was two years ago when I first wrote a blog on the question, “Does it bring joy?” Consider this question as you prioritize your schedule and plan your time. Seriously; does it bring you joy? My prayer is for you to embrace failure as an opportunity to grow. Invite Immanuel to show you what He sees when He looks at your “supposed” failures. All too often, what we see as a failure, God sees as a unique opportunity to learn and grow. I pray you may find the gold in this realization.

    0
    Previous Post: « Raising our Children with Appreciation
    Next Post: Piloting A Power Struggle »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Patricia Miller says

      November 29, 2018 at 9:28 am

      Wonderful perspective! Powerful new mindset – does it bring joy? God sees … And he is faithful to those who love Him!

      Reply
      • Jen Coursey says

        November 29, 2018 at 12:32 pm

        Thank you Patricia! It is a hard question to remember to ask, but so worth it. 🙂

        Reply
    2. John Szydlowski says

      November 29, 2018 at 11:34 am

      Oh. My. Goodness. Wow, what an incredible blog post that God intended for me to read today at this very moment. Thank you so very much! This blessed me beyond my ability to express in words.

      Reply
      • Jen Coursey says

        November 29, 2018 at 12:33 pm

        John, I am blessed that you were blessed. Thank you for sharing!

        Reply
    3. Kathi winter says

      November 29, 2018 at 12:03 pm

      I loved reading this while waiting in my dr.’s office
      Thank u for joyful reminders

      Reply
      • Jen Coursey says

        November 29, 2018 at 12:33 pm

        Thank you Kathi, I am glad the joyful reminder is helpful!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    hello & welcome

    Welcome to Thriving Mamas! We’re so glad you’re here. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. And make sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on the newest blog posts.

    tips + tricks

    subscribe for regular updates and advice (and a free printable!)

    recommended reading

    • The Three C’s
    • Keep Joy High During Upset
    • Relationally Correcting Teens
    • The Journey of Appreciation
    • When We Remove Fear

    a featured event

    encouragement for maxed out moms

    a three night event series to help you find new ways to create joy, rest, and strategies for success

    learn more

    Tags

    4 Habits Act Like Myself Anger Appreciation Attachment Pain Attune Attunement Big Feelings Brain Skills capacity Children Comfort connection Discipline Emotions Endure Hardship Family Family Bonds Fear Grace Gratitude Immanuel Immanuel-Parenting Joy Maturity Overwhelm Parenting Patience Peace Quiet Relational Circuits relational mode relational skills Relationships Repair Return to Joy Sadness See What God Sees Stories Stress summer joy Thankfulness upset Validation Weakness

    Archives

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • Copyright © 2023 · Thriving Mamas · Hearten Made ⟡