Never Settle for Less Than the Best

I get so tired of mediocrity. Of "adverage". Of anything less then the best. 

And this, this is a good thing. For the moment I become content with anything less than the best, the strife for excellence ceases. And the downward descent begins. Compromise comes in, and brings with it darkness and trouble. 

Never settle for less than the best.

Even In the Storm

I hasn't been easy. I won't lie. 

In fact, it seems it's only gotten harder. But I'm clinging to hope. 

I search for answers, for reasons. What is God trying to teach me in this? Another crushing failure. I write. I walk. I think. I pray. I dream. I set goals for myself. And then, I make a mistake. I fail. And I wonder why? What is wrong?

This isn't the first time, either. Failure is no stranger to me. And as I look into the face of my own failure and the ideal God has placed before me, I wonder: "Was I really made to be continually stuck in the valley, fighting, only to be defeated again and again and again? Was I not made to climb the mountains and go on from victory to victory?" 

I feel as though I'm swimming in an hurricane, coupled with earthquakes and tsunamis, struggling just to keep my head above water (only to be knocked under by another crushing wave). I'm blown in circles, not even sure of what direction land is anymore. And I fight, just to stay afloat. I search for answers, for reasons for this. What is God trying to teach me or change in me by this? But the answers elude me. And I fight and search some more. 

And then finally I realize, as if the simplest thing in the world: if the storm is where God has placed me, I can be content to stay there. 

And I will be. 

My Biggest Enemy (and Two Lessons)

We all have dreams. Goals for ourselves. A standard we hold ourselves to. (Or so I hope, for a high standard has been presented to us.)

I have dreams and goals for myself. A standard I hold myself to (the highest of the highest). And I really do try. But all too often I fall short. I disappoint myself. And, I wonder why. 

I'm learning something of late. I am my biggest enemy. My biggest enemy to my fulfilling my own dreams and goals. It is selfishness causes me to fall. To be unloving. Rude. Impatient. Or... You name it. 

But I'm learning something else, too. Surrender and sacrifice are my greatest friends. 

May I always choose the latter, even when it's hard. The reward is well worth it.