Monday, March 15, 2010

What is Failure?

If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you.You may have a fresh start any moment you choose,for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down.-Mary Pickford

Sometimes I catch myself...."I feel like such a failure."

Usually it's when Jacob needs something I can't give him (physically), or my house is a mess and I just don't have the energy to clean it (like now!) Since we've been home from Florida, it's been a nightmare. The night we got home, Doug got sick. He was down for a week. So after taking care of my very sick Jacob for the last week of vacation, Doug gets a bug. So I'm already exhausted from Jacob, thinking I can get a break now because he's healthy and he'll want Doug more. Oooooh no. Doug is down and out, so not only do I have Jacob 100%, I have Doug to try to take care of. Then I get a cold. No surprise there, I suppose. Coughing then pops a rib out of place. Now THAT'S pain, my friends.

All I can say is (1). Thank GOD we weren't all sick at once. Seriously. Can you imagine????
(2) Thank GOD for Dr. Lu (my chiropractor), (3) Thank GOD for dear friends and family who helped Doug and I out with Jacob when my back went out, and (4) Thank GOD He gave me a fighting spririt.

When I read that quote this morning, it really encouraged me! I thought, well, I guess I can never really fail then, because I just don't have it in me to "stay down". God gave me spunk, that's for sure. So that same tenable spirit that enabled me to fight when I was physically dying is the same one that's keeping me going now.

That same obnoxious, bumptious attitude I had when I was younger that really annoyed some of my teachers and probably my parents, is the same fortitude with which I now fight my battles.

So I can say this to you my friends. I will not fail. If failure means lying down and giving in, I promise you that will never happen. I just don't have it in me. And I have God to thank for that, because that's the way He made me. He knew I would have this battle to fight later in life, and He gave me all that I needed to fight it from the moment I was conceived.

I could NOT do it alone, however. I need His strength to resupply that tenacity when I'm running low. I need my husband and son to encourage and love me through the hard times. And I need YOU, dear friends, to continue to spur me on, to pray, and to just be there. Thank you for that.

So I say to this day, to this week, to this life: BRING IT!

48 comments:

Young Wife said...

Love the new background! Keep fighting, girl! I'm sorry you've all been sick. You're in my prayers.

Pam said...

wow, you got it right on! Keep fighting Kerri, I know it is not easy, but Praise God for your fighting Spirit!
I am very thankful that He blessed me with you, so that you can understand where I am and I you, we need each other to pick up one another...
pray for one another...
Blessings and lots of hugs and love!

Unknown said...

Coming by from Sits and am going to peruse your blog... Keep that chin up God ain't anywhere close to done with you...praying for the surrounding of warring angels to surround you and your house and fight off the attack...

Ashley said...

How amazing are you? Really, you. One, thank you for posting that quote at the beginning because it's really something I needed to read. Two, being a mom/wife is amazing. Every time I fall ill after taking care of my husband or son from being sick, you can really tell. The house goes to sh!t, that's how. Ha ha. Keep that fighting spirit :)

Nicole Renee said...

Happy SITS day to you! Enjoy it! Great blog!

Sarah With Scissors said...

Stopping by from SITS. I love that quote and will remember it often.

Anonymous said...

I whine every time I have a sniffle, so seriously -- you're amazing!

AmyD said...

Have a very cool SITS day! I'l be back after work to check this out!! Very cool!

Christine Macdonald said...

Hang in there. Keep on Keepin' on, SITSer. xxoo

Leiah said...

Happy SITS day to you! Heading out to peruse your blog for a while. Enjoy your day!

Jenn said...

Stopping in from SITS...you are an amazing woman of faith! Enjoyed reading your blog!

Aidan Donnelley Rowley said...

"Bring it!" I love the enthusiasm, and gumption, and strength stitched in these words.

(Visiting from SITS. Congrats on being featured!)

Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc.. said...

Visiting from SITS! Such a cute blog! Now I am off to read some more!

Katherine said...

Stopping by from SITS. What an absolutely inspirational post. It actually really gave me a boost after a hard day. Thanks!

Joyful in hope said...

Don't give up! U are in my prayers!

Lots of hugs!

Lacie @ Creative Attempts said...

Happy sits day I am so excited to get to know you!

StaceyTheFabulous said...

You are an inspiration even though you may not feel like it right now. Someone reads your blog and thinks, "if she can..." that might seem burdensome but this fighting spirit you have just might be contagious.

Natalie | Make Today Great said...

This is seriously such an inspiring post -- I'm stopping by from SITS and am so impressed by you!

said...

Awesome attitude and outlook!

Congrats on your SITS day!

Claudya Martinez said...

Keep getting up!

Have a wonderful SITs day!

Babes Mami said...

Happy SITS Day!

Love the design of your blog.

And keep fighting the good fight!

Tiffany said...

Stopping by from SITS. You are such a strong person! Bless you. Your attitude is so inspirational!

I'm a full-time mummy said...

Congrats on your SITS day! Stay strong and have faith in God!

Tonya said...

Happy SITS day!

You definitely have the right spirit. Praying for God's strength to sustain you and give you grace to finish the race.

Have a blessed day!

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

I came by from SITS. I admire your strength! I am so glad that you all weren't sick at the same time.
I'm following now & will be back! =)

The Blog Stylist said...

Coming from SITS and wishing you all the best Kerri x

Jessica said...

Happy SITS day, Kerri!

Melissa Papaj Photography said...

Happy SITS day!

Unknown said...

You have an awesome, beautiful warrior-spirit. I thank God for people like you. I remind myself often that God has equipped me to handle what he has allowed to come my way. It isn't always easy (my 2.5 year old has a rare kidney disease and is on dialysis, etc) but He always gets me through. You rock, Mama! Stopping by from SITS :)

Christy
http://www.talesofthetoot.com

Sharlene T. said...

Stopping by from SITS. You are a perfect example of the old adage, "It's not how well we summer with someone but how well we winter with them that speaks of our character." You are definitely not a summertime soldier. Happy SITS day! Come visit when you can.

sarah said...

You are quite an inspiration darlin' I'll be readin!

Happy SITS day!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey! Stopping in from SITS. I also live with chronic illness & have wayyyy too many moments of feeling like a failure. I'm in a journey to rely more on Him & my topic tonight is actually the Pursuit of God, but I didn't get into the meat of the matter it's all backstory so far. Love your blog. I will be back!!

Cheryl said...

Over from Sits - you are amazing!Thank you for that quote.

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

Stopping by from SITS. God bless and Happy Feature Day!!

heather@actingbalanced.com said...

Hope your week gets better and your cold goes away fast! Stopping by to wish you well on your SITS Day...

Just One Week said...

It's amazing how much a messy house can make us feel like a failure, and yet we can so easily forget how caring for a loving son and husband make us a success.
We need to always remind ourselves what is truly important.
Enjoy your SITS day!!!

Mesina said...

Congrats on your SITS Day! Oh what an inspiration you are lady! I admire your strength and your family is very blessed to have such a wonderful role model as you. Keep fighting, stay strong and never let that smile go xxx

Unknown said...

Stopping in from SITS. Keep up the fight! My sister has chronic pain due to some old injuries. She keeps walking through her pain, and she ha a cheerful, joyful attitude about life. Thanks for the reminder that many among us have mighty battles that we cannot always see. Blessings!

Rebekah Costello said...

Mama, you are a shining light, indeed! Thanks for sharing your lovely blog with us SITSas!

Goodnight moon said...

What a great blog! Enjoy your special day...you deserve it!

Visiting from SITS.

K A B L O O E Y said...

Hey, girl. I'm a SITSsta and so was fortunately directed over to your blog, where I've been bouncing around and enjoying myself. And getting inspired. And a bit shamed about any and all whining that I do, well most of it. Your blog is terrific, your attitude is better (ok, a toss up -- both 4 stars) and your kid defies cuteness laws. Conservation of Cuteness? He's so cute there must be a playground full of gremlins somewhere if the laws of nature still hold.

Shelley said...

Visiting you as a fellow SITSer! You sound like such a strong woman. Dealing with a chronic illness I'm sure in hard enough but you manager to be a wife and mother at the same time! You are purely inspirational.

Kristina said...

AWESOME. It's like a pep talk from a coach before a game. I'm bookmarking it!

Theresa said...

How VERY encouraging! This is my first trip to your blog (came from SITS), but I will be back! I can't wait to read more. You are a fighter and I love that! Keep your chin up and I hope that everyone in your family is feeling better soon!
God Bless,
Theresa

Kristi said...

I am so glad that you are blogging about your condition. My MIL had MG & it is such a dibilitating condition that very few know about. It is so often misunderstood & misdiagnosed. Happy SITS day & know I am praying for you!

Penny (CJsMonnie) said...

What an awesome attitude! I think we could all benefit from your example. I discovered you through the Sitsahood but subscribed because of you. The person you are shines through in your posts.

Happy SITS Day! =)

Shayna said...

Stopping by from SITS - I'm totally impressed byyour willingness to wite about something so personal, and the grace with which you do so ---

_______________________________
http://LifeForward.onsugar.com

Richella Parham said...

So nice to meet you! I hope your day in the spotlight at SITS is wonderful. Three of the five people in my household battle chronic illness (a genetic condition), so I know it can be really hard. . . I'm so inspired by you! Praise God for the wonderful life you're living. I'm so glad He preserved your life and blessed you in such great measure.

Every blessing to you!

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