I failed at being a wedding planner.
No one wants a planner who gets so undone by the neurotic mother-of-the-bride that she throws up in the parking lot right beside the guest sidewalk.
Really, nothing says, “welcome to my wedding” quite like that.
I failed at being a kitchen gadget saleswoman.
No one wants to see the tip of a thumb sliced off into the veggie pizza at the exact moment I was promising how safe this gadget is.
Awesome.
I failed at being a cafeteria lady at a private school.
My assistant decided her arms were so dry she needed to coat herself with our spray butter. When we took the trash out later that day, we both got attacked by bees and forgot about the pizza in the oven.
Kids don’t take kindly to burnt pizza.
I failed at being a receptionist.
It’s never a good idea to just succumb to those sleepy afternoon feelings and lay your head down on the desk.
Bosses don’t like workers who snore—even if they are pregnant.
Yes, I failed at a lot during those years where I was trying to figure out what to do with my life. At the time each of these things felt like the worst that could have happened. Now, I think they were the best worst things.
Had these things been successful, I would have never discovered the joy of being in the ministry I’m in now.
I see this same theme woven throughout many stories in the Bible.
In Matthew 8:23-24 we find Jesus getting into a boat with His disciples. “Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.” Worst thing.
But in verse 26 Jesus got up and rebuked the winds and waves and things turned completely calm. The disciples were amazed. Best worst thing.
In Acts 5:12 we find the apostles being arrested and thrown in jail. Worst thing.
But in Acts 5:13 we find an angel of the Lord opening the doors of the jail and bringing them out. Later we find them with so much confidence they boldly proclaim, “We must obey God rather than men!” (v. 29) Best worst thing.
I don’t understand why we have to go through cruddy stuff. And I certainly know there are many worse things to go through then what I’ve mentioned here.
We live in a broken world full of broken people. But isn’t it comforting to know God is never broken? He isn’t ever caught off guard, taken by surprise, or shocked by what happens next.
He can take our worst and add His best. We just have to make the choice to stay with Him and keep following Him through it all.
Even neurotic mothers-of-the-bride who make wedding planners’ stomachs work in reverse-can become best worst things.
After all, she gave me some great examples to pull from nearly 20 years later while writing Unglued. Oh I kid. Kind-of.
For more on making wise choices in the midst of raw emotions check out Lysa’s latest book Unglued available August 2012.
Leave a Comment
Maria @ Blooming Me says
Dear Lysa, your post is so what I need. I am going through a season of brokeness in my life right now, and it has been really hard to hold on to my faith…but I have. And it is amazing how God uses women like yourself to reconfirm what he is putting in our hearts but we are too in pain to see: it is about perspective and in the worse circumstances, there is a best within the worse. As of last night God put into perspective that while there is so much “worse” in my life right now, even in that there are some good things. So thank you my friend for your encouraging words.
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
I love everything you write – but this might be one of my all time favorites, right up there with the fruit flies that hatched in your kitchen. Seriously, thank you for making it OK to be human. Much love, Lisa-Jo {aka a groupie}
Jane yasenchak says
What a great post! You have to have the worst times to appreciate the best times! This was a smile bringer for me today!
Jennifer says
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I am currently traveling through this season in my life, seeking God’s perfect path to use my talents. Its been a tough road, but I know he is faithful and will produce fruit from the seeds he is planting. Thank you for sharing!
Victoria@Snailpacetransformations.com says
Thanks for these words of encouragement. They are so what I needed to hear this morning. I have been trying several work from home ideas to try and ease the burden of financially providing for our family off our husband now that the kids are older and don’t require as much of my time (although they still require a lot of it and I love that). I have had some big flops as of late. The square peg in a round hold type flops, this encourages me to keep trying.
Jennifer says
Lysa, you have given me hope! Living in one of those “worst job yet” moments can leave a girl wore out . Let me be honest, I’ve wanted to give up on Him in this season. I’ve lost sight of Him in the mess. Thanks for a good dose of perspective. I needed it.
Stephanie Spencer says
Love this. Thank you for the laughter and the encouragement. One of my favorite quotes is from Thomas Edison, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” It’s all a journey. I’m glad you found your way to something that was a good fit for who God made you to be.
Lisa says
I’m glad you have found your niche. I was laughing about your job encounters. I’m sure they weren’t funny at the time…
Amanda says
Thank you… oh, thank you. It’s been such an awful week at work, and I wonder so often why I don’t just find a new job that I enjoy. But this one gives me the flexibility I need as a mom, and so I trudge on… it seems like the worst thing right now, but I pray God will use this perseverence to turn it into the best worst thing…
Bernice @ The Stressed Mom says
Lysa, I can so relate to this! I have been in a worst time for 2 years now, watching and waiting to see what God has in store. And I haven’t been very patient in the waiting! Thank you for this reminder that God uses EVERY situation to bring us to the place we need to be for Him to do his perfect work in us.
Blessings to you!
Tracey says
Great pep talk for me this morning. Thanks for being my coach today Lysa!
N. L. says
Thank you. Today feels like one of the worst days. We are awaiting word about cancer today, how bad and what options we have. It certainly feels like the worst, but I am praying for the “best worst” that can come from this. Please pray for my husband and myself, and our sweet children as we look for the heavenly blessings in the midst of what feels like a mighty rough storm.
Lisa Lauhead says
I am glad to know how you perceive the changes that come from the choices we make in life. I have made a mess of things and I am depending on God to restore and make me His masterpiece. Sometimes the storms are almost too rough. I tell you all from my experience that there is nothing that compares to the Holy Spirit during what seems to be the final hour. Just one way He has shown Himself to me. Thank you.
Beth Williams says
Like Amanda and Bernice I have been in a “worst job choice” mode for almost 1 year now. I wonder why I God won’t show me another job that I’d be better at & enjoy more.
This job has good benefits & the people are nice–but the type of work I do now is nothing I went to school for & most days I feel sort of useless in the clinic.
I needed the reminder the God can use EVERY SINGLE SITUATION for HIS GOOD & to help us bloom where planted!
Miriam @ a rearranged life says
Oh yes! I feel this in my bones! The twists and turns that have left me broken
“He writes his best stories from the hardest beginnings.” – Steve Saint (his father was missionary, Nate Saint was marytrd alongside Jim Elliot). This is the man that I’ve looked up to as a spiritual mentor since i was 10. Always strong and able-bodied he has done wonders for the missions world….but that quote – He said this after being partially paralyzed a few weeks ago.
If you want to be really challenged in your faith along these same lines watch this video about the thorn that pulls back the veil on God’s face:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfPZ_bIRfmM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Teri Crowder says
Thanks Lysa for the encouraging words I so need it these days!
Kerry @ Made For Real says
Great perspective on this. Thanks, Lysa!
Shelley says
Hi Lysa! I’m 43 years old and have been following Christ for 22 years. This year, I have finally received revelation knowledge and understanding of what it truly means to “abide in the vine”. Our failings and “worst things” are the occasions where our faith in Him and His ability to sustain us is tested. It is also the time whereupon He will prune a part of our character or nature that needs disciplining in order for His character to be perfected within us. The Lord is so loving when He prunes our character; He actually lifts us up, cleans us up, supports us, and feeds us! How wonderful are the times of struggle and so-called chaos, for the Lord God is mighty to deliver us from them. Remembering to count it all joy comes easier for me today now that I know why I encounter the “cruddy stuff”. Thanks for the great post; I smiled and giggled as I read it! Blessings!
Cheryl Kauffman says
Oh my did I need to hear this…Thank You!!
Traci says
I laughed out loud reading some of your best worsts 🙂 I have a laundry list of those myself! When you sit back and catalog them you do realize that had you not been at your “worst” God could have never saved you with his “best”.
Your insight is inspiring and I love the part in your bio, “simply seeks to glorify God through her life and family.” So well put and something I think so many of us can relate to.
Thanks for your words and the smiles!