Missing the Shot

Do you ever feel like you just missed your shot? Like you tried so hard to be what others expected, what YOU expected, and failed? Or maybe you were so scared to take the shot that you let fear and apathy take over and never pulled the trigger.

You aren’t alone.

Sunday’s message stuck with me about shooting from insecurity and keeping our focus on Him. I can clearly point to times in my life where I have done this, and others where I haven’t and today, I’m sharing a glimpse into one of those moments.

After church on Sunday, in one of those ‘it has to be God’ moments, I found this letter. I wrote it a few years ago, confused, angry with myself, and off the mark. I pray it blesses you and leads you to seek Him as your target.

”Heather,

Alright, let’s get to it. I could say a million excuses for why you have not achieved different goals over the years. Some weren’t worth it, some were. Some didn’t come together because of things out of your control, many were in your control but you gave up for varying reasons, but mostly because you didn’t believe you could. So right here, right now, I’m going to tell you, just BREATHE.

It’s OK. It’s OK to fail. It’s OK to learn. What’s not OK is turning away, especially from something you know God called you to do. So forgive yourself, let go, and learn from it. Let it strengthen you and your resolve.

Pray! Pray constantly and allow God’s forgiveness to wash over you and loosen the bonds that have held onto you. How can you move forward with those? Would God give you a calling you weren’t equipped for or that He wasn’t planning ot equip you for?

No! It’s time to let go of the past. Let go of regret, let go of fear, and just grab onto what He has for you. He has forgiven you. Time to forgive yourself. Forgive not being bold and going for a dream. Forgive yourself for becoming apathetic and allowing the world to push you back and forth for so long. Forgive yourself for hiding in other work v. doing what God called. Forgive the fear and resistance you push at when you think of it.

And for that matter, forgive yourself for being confused! Man, am I glad we have a God who can clear minds and show us the way, because I would be LOST.

God, help me forgive myself. Help me forgive others I have unjustly blamed and help me move past my failures and focus on the goal you have for me. If I’m being honest, I don’t know what that is right now. Is it relationships, the book for parents, homeschool, something else entirely? God with one breath let me clear this confusion and accept that I don’t have to know the end, just the next step. Give me that next step. Thank you for your forgiveness. For the example you have given, and for loosening the bonds I set. God don’t let me hold tight, but hold it out to you. In Jesus Name, Amen.”