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Let's Try That Again

I did a little Netflix binge watching last night on one of my favorite shows. Jim was out of town so I splurged. It is one of those shows that has real life issues, drama that is sometimes bittersweet and often some tough stuff. I cry on every single episode and my husband just does not understand why I like it. I try to explain as I am slobbering all over the sleeve of my shirt, since the Kleenex is clear across the room and I don't want to miss one single thing to go get a tissue. I love that stuff and will cry even harder when I finish the series. Fortunately, at my age; I can start all over and it will be new again. 

There was a scene on one of the episodes between an uncle and his niece. He was trying to encourage her to go after what she saw as impossible. A college interview that seemed so far out of her league and her reach. Somewhere, in her short life so far, she had convinced herself that she was a failure, that she had messed up so much she couldn't possibly land this. That she would never "win" so why try? And I loved what her uncle said, " life it going to knock you down in so many ways, don't knock yourself down too". 

Isn't that so true for most of us? Life has a way of knocking us down. Whether it's a professional knock down such as job loss or not getting the job/promotion. A broken heart from the loss of a relationship, an unexpected turn of events that leave us in a place we never imagined. Knocked down. And we wonder how and why? And we can beat ourselves up because we feel like a failure. 

I am learning that many times when life happens and I get knocked down it's not always my fault. Sometimes it is, because of the choices I've made. Sometimes things don't work out the way I expected that leave me feeling as if I've been kicked to the curb. And sometimes, it's just someone or something that knocks me down. That does not make me a failure. And just because something knocks me down doesn't mean I should beat myself up or not try it again.

I do believe that God is in complete control and He will give me the power and strength I need to do whatever it is He is calling me to do. He will also pull me back up when I am knocked down again,  because let's face it, life is messy. But I don't need to stay down. And I most certainly should not beat myself up over things. That is a choice. 

I heard a message about the Christian journey once told in the way of a young child learning to ride a bike. The child takes off, losses his balance, gets knocked down and the child's dad is there to pick him up,  dust off his little scuffed knees, wipe his tears and say " Let's try that again". The child tries again, this time gets a little farther along then once again, gets knocked down. His dad is right there yet again, to wipe away his tears, dust him off and say "I know this is hard but let's try it again".

Our Heavenly Father is just like that. He will wipe away our tears and dust off our scuffed knees when life knocks us down saying, "Let's try it again" He will give us His power to do what we deem  impossible. And He will be with us every single step of the way. 

I was encouraged again this morning in my bible that the Lord is with those who put their trust in Him. I have nothing to fear. So when I get knocked down, which I will. He will be right there with me, giving me His strength to get up and try it again. 

-Pressing On

““Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because GOD, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.””
Deuteronomy 31:6 MSG



“This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.”
Isaiah 48:17 NLT

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