Try

Try

I’m not trying to get my way in the world’s way. I’m trying to get your way, your Word’s way. I’m staying on your trail; I’m putting one foot in front of the other. I’m not giving up.

WHAT HAPPENED, LORD? Where did I misstep? My thoughts swirled as I stood in the middle of my kitchen, blinking at the food prepared and waiting, trying without success to hold back a tear or three from leaking down my cheeks. My living room was filled with exactly half of the guests we’d been expecting, the half I’d invited. The other half of the guest list were individuals from our refugee community, invited by a community connection in a mutual attempt to share space and conversation in a community beset by misunderstanding and hate and to, hopefully, spark new friendships.

It was my first foray into intercultural bridge building, and it was a failure of gigantic proportions. After several deep breaths and a pause to wipe the tear streaks, I walked into my living room with a smile and invited my guests to eat. I explained that there had been a miscommunication on my end and that our other guests would not be coming, but that we’d try this again.

As Aaron gently shut the front door, having cheerfully sent off our last guest, he walked into the kitchen, intercepting me with a giant hug as I dried my hands on a towel, squeezing me tight as I gave in to my tears.

Several of my friends and I have embraced the life motto “Girls Who Try” as a way to live our lives. Following God’s trail isn’t easy, and it oftentimes involves stumbling, falling, and failing. We have the choice of getting up, dusting off, praying, and trying again, or quitting. Trying again requires us to examine where we fell short and what went wrong so we can make adjustments before giving it another go. Trying is growth. We become stronger, more resilient, braver people for failing and then trying again. Journeying with God means he is often going to invite us to try something that stretches our faith and makes us uncomfortable. Will you accept his invitations?

Lord, help us be Girls Who Try, who count success by the effort given rather than the initial outcome. Help us to dust off and do it again when we fall short. Amen.

-Julie

One Good Step: What do you need to try again this week? Do it.