Failure
I need to apologize. In January I announced that Shawn
and I had just finished up the process of a divorce. I did it with no warning. I was so scared to
be viewed as a failure—so afraid that I was letting everyone down. I was so
afraid to even just write it. So scared to read the ‘see . . . we told you that
this would fail’—s that I knew would come. And they did. Because that is who we
are—human beings—all of us imperfect, trying to do our best to hold it all
together—all the while judging those who cannot accomplish what we too fail to
be. Sometimes we aren’t kind to each other. And in a moment when I already
feared failure, some people were unkind to me.
But this is not anything new. Because I received similar
attacks when I lost my husband to murder seven years ago. People blaming me,
and putting me down. So today I wanted to share how it made me feel—both
times—in a moment when I needed support, to have some people try to tear me down.
And I am not sharing this as a way to get anyone to change
their feelings about what you view as my failures—because I don’t really care
what you think. But there are people around you, whether in your real life—or
your virtual life—who can’t see past your dark words. They feel like they are
drowning. The things people say are hurting them so deep, they can’t stop the
pain. They feel alone every single day. They have had to make grown up choices
that they have felt unprepared to make. They are raising babies by themselves,
not because it is easy . . . but because life doesn’t always turn out like we
planned. Maybe their circumstances are because of their own poor choices, but
maybe—just maybe—they didn’t have another choice to make. Maybe your put downs
will help them see what a failure you think they are . . . or maybe they will
literally send them over the edge of the dark cliff they are already hanging from.
We may think we have all the answers for everyone around us,
but what I have learned to be true is . . . we don’t have one. Each
person—whether rich or poor, tall or short, male or female—we are all capable
of making our own choices. Unfortunately those ready to make choices will also
have to stand accountable to God for their decisions . . . but too will they
stand before Him in the choices they make that are not as black and
white—decisions only He knows all the different parts to. And just like you,
the people you see as failures . . . might just being doing their best. And
maybe—just maybe—what you view as their failure, could be the very thing God
asked them to do . . . to succeed.
So I just want to throw out a challenge to this big fat
universe full of opinions and words. The challenge is that we use this gift of
technology—of knowledge, of freedom of speech . . . to bring light. We have
enough bullies in our own minds, we don’t need to keep hurting each other. If
someone is going through a hard time . . . take the opportunity to lift them
up. They already see their own failures, what they need today is a
friend—because they may not even have one of those in themselves.
To be Christ like we don’t need to be the ultimate judge—but
we have been asked to be the ultimate friend. And a friend is someone who
doesn’t see differences as failures—but believes in the person who is trying
their best to succeed.
Thank you to all my friends who have stood with me through all the roads I have been asked to walk. You make a difference in my life, and your light brightens my world. Thank you for your examples of love, support, and friendship.
10 comments:
My heart breaks for you and Shawn and the kids. No judgement from me at all. You are amazing and inspiring in every way.
I’m sorry for your pain. Are you able to share of what the reason was? I pray not infidelity. The poor children.
Having been divorced once and my husband twice before we were married... I did not judge you at all for your decision. Blended families are so difficult and anyone who makes it through it is extremely fortunate. I had to think about it a while to process all of the grief and craziness you were going through as I followed your story. You do make a difference in others lives and especially your beautiful family. I wish you and Shawn both well on your new lives and I am hoping that you have peace in this new direction. Wishing good things for you and your kids moving forward!
I accept your challenge. What a wonderful and much needed challenge in this world. Let a spread love and joy and acceptance. That is what we each need .
❤️❤️❤️
No I really want the best for Shawn and Jordyn and I really don’t feel that sharing all the struggles will be beneficial. What I will say is that we both were on two separate journeys... with different priorities and values and missions. And there came a time when We no longer could support each other on those paths. Thank you for your support.
😘
I accept it too! 💗
I needed this today. Thank you. You are beautiful, and inspiring, in all that you share. I so appreciate you for sharing your journey. <3
sorry people are so easy to judge you and your decisions, no one knows your heart and life and should just show their support and love to you and your family! Social media give people the forum to hide and say very unkind and mean things I wish you the best
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