Continual Failure...Is this Really What I Should Be Doing?

I knew even before I ever took the five love languages assessment what my primary love language would be.  I am a girl who LOVES to be served.  If you want me to see how much you love me, don't buy me roses or even a new car and don't give me hugs and kisses. This girl right here thrives when people do random acts of kindness.  Nothing says I love you more than me coming home to a chore that my hubby has completed just for me so that I did not have to worry about it. Since acts of service is my love language, I tend to show my love by serving others as well. 

Our grass was a in need of a mowing yesterday because of all this rain we've had the past few days.  Since Brent has been getting off work late and working six days a week, I decided that I would cut the front yard for him so that he could hang out with the kids for a bit and of course to show that I love and appreciate him.  There have been very few occasions where me on a lawn mower have turned out well. Once I ran my in-laws John Deer into the fence on the fastest setting and nearly broke my wrist.  I've ran over a stump and bent the blades. I've knocked the piece off that flaps up where the grass comes out.  I've bogged it down and it smoked like crazy because I overwhelmed it with all the grass I was trying to cut at once.  I don't know if the yard looks much better after I finish cutting because I miss random patches of grass and I'm not brave enough to maneuver it to get in the tight places.  Well, what happened yesterday has made it very clear to me that I do NOT belong on the lawn mower! 

The oil was low in the mower so I put some oil in it before I began my mowing adventure. I began by making it clear that I was the one who did the mowing...I knocked nearly every stone outlining our planter in the front yard out of place. Great start right?!  I am sure that whenever my neighbors hear our lawn mower crank they peek out the blinds to see if it's me cutting, and if it is, they secretly watch through the cracks and laugh the whole time.  Really...I am THAT bad!  A lot of swirly lines in the grass and a few random patches left uncut later and the front yard is complete and without terrible incident.  Go me! But wait...Why is my foot drenched and the lawnmower smoking like a chimney?  Yep, that's right friends, this expert mechanic forgot to put the oil cap on all the way and oil was EVERYWHERE.  I vowed to Brent from that moment on that I would not cut grass again.  From now on, "It's all yours babe!"

 (Take a good look because this won't be happening again!)

Have you ever REALLY wanted to be good at something that you just couldn't seem to master or even do somewhat well or frankly, you "stunk it up" each time you tried?  That's how I feel about cutting grass (on a riding mower).  I enjoy the peacefulness of it and just being outside interacting with God's beautiful creation.  I like it too because it gives me a break from housework and mommy tasks.  However, every time I do it it makes me feel less than and incompetent and down-right defeated. 

Odds are if you're feeling this way about something that YOU desire to excel in and keep failing, then this is not what GOD has planned for you.  God has created us all differently for a purpose. 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 makes this crystal clear for us.  Take a minute and read it.  Verse 18 speaks especially to this fact. "But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body (of Christ), every one of them, just as He wanted them to be."  That's right you and I are just as he wants us to be!  He has given us talents, gifts, and beauty just as we are.  These are the things that "come natural" to us.  We don't have to long for those talents, gifts, and/or worldly beauty that we lack, but instead we should concentrate and focus our time and effort into praising Him for blessing us with the talents and gifts that He created us for. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11.  I firmly believe that when we are in line with God's will for our lives that He will give us everything we need to complete the task at hand and it will come more naturally to us.  That's not to say that we won't encounter hardship because the enemy is on the prowl, always looking for a way to attack where we are unguarded.  What I am reminded of today is that God is with us always and when we are seeking Him and His will for our lives He will grant us Godly success in our adventures.  I also believe that He will give us confidence in our talents, gifts, and abilities because 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and self-discipline."

While my lack in capabilities to mow the lawn may seem like a silly example to use for revealing spiritual gifts and God-given talents, it is a was a great reminder to me to remain focused on the things that He has called me to do for Him and not to long to do the "more desirable jobs" or easier ones or even the ones I enjoy doing more.  God has blessed me with the ability to be a mother and housewife first and foremost to my beautiful family and that's where my talents and abilities should be focused here and now.  At times it's going to be hard, but I must press on and do it unto the Lord because the Lord has promised me that spiritual fruit will come from my obedience.

So friends if you are struggling "to cut the grass" today, then get into God's word prayerfully and ask Him to reveal His plans for you.  Ask Him to enlighten you on your talents and gifts that He has designed especially for you so that you may do the task that your spiritual body part was designed to do unto Him. Matthew 7:7 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."  Ask God today believing that He will show you!

God bless!