Dictionary.com defines failure as a lack of success; an act of failing or proving unsuccessful... YIKES. Kinda intense, don't you think?
I am writing this blog tonight because failure came into my life today. I applied for a new job with my company about a week ago as an event planner. ( Please note: my absolute passion and true calling is an opportunity that God brought to me about 2 months ago. And while I am hard at work with that, I am blessed to be able to retain my full-time, normal job...I digress) I applied for another day job (reference first sentence of this paragraph) and got a call back! It surprised me because I really did not expect it. After a 10 minute preliminary interview with an HR rep, I was told that I would be contacted in a week for another interview.
"Heck yea," I said! I thought to myself, "I could enjoy this new job. I could be an event planner for a year or two, and just see where it goes." It sounded very exciting!! The more I thought about it, the more I convinced myself that this was my break. My break from the stressful, overwhelming, exhausting day job that I currently held.
Current day: I was on the phone with a customer when I saw an email notification from the HR rep. I held my breathe, and told myself "No matter what this email says, remember that God has plans for me."
God had other plans.
I was frustrated. I thought to myself "okay God, I do not see any reason why I did not get this interview. What is the reason for keeping me where I am now? I am so stressed out!"
I texted my husband shortly after receiving the email. He texted back... " well then it wasn't in God's plan".
And that was that.
I was not upset anymore. I was not angry at God. I shook it off and moved on.
I do not understand God's plan. Nor will I ever! And why would I want to? God has something big planned for me. For all of us. It never makes sense at the time. I can never see the point in "bad" things happening. But EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME IN THE PAST WAS PLANNED. IT WAS ALL FOR A PURPOSE. IT MADE ME WHO I AM NOW. My family. My travels. My ups and downs. My careers. My education. My eating disorder. My relationships...it all makes me who I am!!!
Have you ever wondered why God made you the way He did? I used to! I used to think to myself " why didn't God make me naturally skinny?"... You know those friends that are stick thin and can eat whatever they want and never gain weight? (arg) But think! If God made me stick thin and with a super- duper metabolism, I do not think I would be writing this blog and capitalizing on an incredible and awesome work opportunity.
I just have to stay faithful, thankful and listen to Him.
On that note, I want to tell you a story ( I know right, another story). This one is love story.
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It was approximately 3 years ago. It was July something or other. I just started a new job as a manager with a gigantic retailer in New Albany, Ohio. Specifically, I was working at the head quarters, or home office. I had just started, maybe a few days into it. I was doing something on the computer in the back of the store. I was surrounded by my manager at the time, and maybe a few associates... Not quite sure of the details. But what I do remember is this: my manager was talking to someone who did not work in my store. It was a guy. She introduced me to him. "This is our new assistant manager Andrea." I turned around (because obviously I was too busy to turn around prior to this moment)... and time stopped.
As I shook this guy's hand, a voice in my head said "stop... you will want to remember this."
That man is now my husband.
It brings tears to my eyes just remembering how amazing it is. I love that moment. I remember his smile. And the voice.
I have no doubt that God was speaking to me. I did not know it was Him at the time. But Andrew is my indescribably perfect match. God created this love between us. That is the only explanation for how wonderful our love is.
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The point is, do not give up hope and faith. Failure is not that big of a deal. We move on. Life goes on. Do not waste your time wondering and wallowing in your self pity. Failure is not a lack of success. Failure is an attempt at a certain activity. You did not fail. You just did not succeed like you wanted to.
Romans 5:3-5
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
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