I’m working on not making excuses for why I fail other people. It’s not “because my dad left me” or “because my brother got arrested”. Its not “because my sister is sick” or that “my school is overwhelming”. When I bail, its because I made a promise to you that I wasn’t interested enough in keeping. I know that sounds harsh, but in reality and despite what our emotions blow it all up to be, when you don’t show up, someone else has to and thats not something that feels loving to receive either.
There are times when the reasons are big and the problems are unforeseeable. There are issues that genuinely wreck people and turn their lives upside down. I know some of these. I’ve felt some of these. and they are no small deal.
Sometimes, I think, we get too caught up in what a burden our to-do lists are to us, we forget to consider the length, weight, and hassle of everyone else’s that we’re adding to. Its okay that you can’t run that fundraiser, but then who will? and how much time are you giving them to do that well if you decide you’re unable? Did you think of that?
I’m all about DOING WHATS BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE, but when thats causing what’s literally the worst situation for a group of hardworking individuals, you’ve got to step back and see where your sacrifice is needed most.
When we trust one another, showing up and sticking it out is everything. What you prioritize will be where your best relationships flourish and on the other end of that, in the places you choose to neglect, you’ll see broken, dying relationships. These “yes” / “no” choices might seem small, but even when you aren’t affected, consider who might be.
We all get into unfortunate circumstances at some point: where every choice feels like the wrong one and whether its their fault or not, grace is necessary. Grace is necessary. Let us cover each other the first time and the second time and the third time and the fourth time. But let that person come running back, ready to do the same for their friend.
I don’t know why I’m throwing all this out there, but I feel like somebody needs encouragement or truth or a warning or validation or just something to provoke their thinking.
You might be the one who has to clean up the mess of others. To you, I want to say: Im sorry, but I also want to say GOOD JOB. Persevere, don’t gossip, stay in the word and pray for endurance. Cover your team in prayers and know that what you are doing is for a purpose. Don’t lose hope. Do good work. Ask for help if you need it.
You might have just realized that you’ve been handing over too many messes. To you, I want to say: Its okay. Repent, go back, apologize and plug into a new season of being present with those who have cared for you and warred alongside you. We all fall short, but forgiveness is real.
Either way, I pray we can grab ahold of the strength to carry what we do.
Love you guys.
Your new friend,
Briellabelle
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8
“It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.” Ecclesiastes 5:5
