Failure is not Final

Get Back Up

I loved this message at my church so much that I am sharing it with you.  You can click on the Get Back Up above and watch it online.  One of the stirring quotes in the video is "failure is not final."  I so need that as I am struggling with trying to start a Bible study in my home.

I am doing this through my church, so my group is listed on their website, and I posted notices in all the buildings of my complex.  At first, I had 5 interested.  Now it is down to 2, and only one has shown up.  Although I did meet another elsewhere in a neutral place to assure her.  The 3 that changed their minds said they might join in the fall.  

It is hard not to feel like a failure here.  I also am struggling at work as we are using a new curriculum that I am not familiar with, so that can be nerve-wracking for me too.  I always seem to feel nervous before work, Bible study, volunteering, and even my art class, to the point of not wanting to go.  But I force myself and it usually turns out well.  Even so, when I fail, it consumes me like a fire, and it is hard to let it go.  I am a lot harder on myself than I am on others.  Why is that?  Why do I expect perfection from myself but not others?  

So I have to remember Peter, what this message is about.  About how even though he failed, Jesus forgave him, and restored him so much that he became the first leader of the Christian church.  So I have to remember that even though I fail, it is not final, and I have to forgive myself and get back up again.  

Art Academy

Monday night I finally started my beginning drawing and painting class at this place above.  I loved it!  I didn't want to leave!  I have always wanted to learn to draw and paint but never felt like I could.  I took a drawing  class in high school but I usually only got C's, and the teacher was always flirting with the boys.  Needless to say, it was a  frustrating experience.  But I always loved art.  I've always loved doing it and looking at it.  But there are no art places nearby for adults.  So this place is in St. Paul, which isn't so bad as I am going against rush hour traffic.  So if you want to try something, go for it!  Don't let your past dictate your future.  I always saying that failure is failing to try.  

Hope 4 Youth

I started volunteering for this place last week.  My church told its congregation about it, so I went on a tour and decided that I would like to volunteer for this place.

They help homeless youth in the Anoka area.  I had no idea there was a problem with homeless youth in my area, but there is.  There are various places to volunteer at, like the drop in center at the old milk factory in Anoka, where youth come in and receive various services.  Another place is their boutique in Champlin, where they sell goods and give the money to the organization.  Third, there is Hope Place, a residential home for youth on the path to independence.  Finally, there are other areas of need for volunteer.

I volunteer at Hope Place.  There I am at the welcome desk where I welcome people who come to work with the residents, and I visit with the residents.  I was very nervous last week when I started, but through God's grace, it went fine, and I was able to complete my shift intact!  

I start leading my Bible study this week, and I hope all goes well, I hope people come, and I hope I can do a good job.  I am very nervous about it, and have been praying about it, so I hope that it comes to be a good experience for all.