May 21

Written by Bill Grandi on May 21st, 2021

“Where, O Where, should my rambling mind go?” Did you ever have those time when nothing clicked? You know…you read and read and nothing hits home. This is not one of those times.

The opposite. I sat down for my Encounter Time this morning and the more I read the more I got bombarded. It wasn’t lack; it was too much. I had 3 different devos running around in my head. I liked them all.  But I’m going to go with the first one.

Have you ever got an “F?” Yeah? Join the club. More than one I might add. You see, I am not a smart, smart person but I can guarantee that if life was graded on a curve any forward motion I took would have been negated by my “lack” in math, science, or any subject related. Biology. Chemistry. Geometry. Trigonometry. Calculus. (Notice a trend there?) Anyway, you get my drift.

My kids got a hold of my Senior Year High School grade card. Let’s just say that my admonitions to them of studying and getting good graces and finding out what you’re good at  no longer held water.  I lost a ton of credibility at that point. Fortunately, I was a pretty good dad so I got it back other ways. 🙂 All my credibility was flushed down the toilet. I got two “As” that year-Driver’s Ed and Phys. Ed. Powerhouse subjects!!! The others I’ll not say in detail. Let’s just say there was a smattering of “D’s” and an “F.” I’m must glad they never saw my Jr. Year card with Chemistry and Geometry.

Failure is part of life. It comes in all shapes and sizes. Maybe it is more accurate to say “failure isn’t part of life; it is much of life.” (Goff-p.170)

I went on to better things (and grades) in college, although I was never valedictorian material. Or salutatorian. Or top 10% of my class. I survived (barely) my high school years.  (Note: in my defense I played basketball, worked after practice, school and weekends), and surprise of all surprises, I had a girl friend and it behooved me to investigate the great mystery of the universe…woman}. I continued to find out that Math and Science and all related subjects were to be avoided. I did find out I loved studying the Bible, learning and preaching/teaching it.

I learned some valuable lessons through my “D’s” and “F’s.” Avoid certain subjects as a livelihood; embrace certain subject which bring you to life.  Hence, my calling.

“Father, even now, may my failures be a stepping stone to new lessons and new challenges.  Help me to grow in wisdom.”

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. Crystal says:

    Ok, so I had to smile and chuckle as I read this. (Guessing you got good scores in Language Arts, as you write well🌞). But on a more serious note it made me think of the huge difference between man’s grading score and God’s grading of a human life. #1- I am incredibly grateful that God doesn’t grade or view us the way we as humans tend to view and grade each other. #2- My prayer is that God helps me value, view and look at people in the way Jesus did. May I see value and take interest in people based on their eternal value and not allow “the grades of this world and our culture” to influence my interactions and love for those around me and whose paths I cross from day to day.
    Blessings and thank you for this thought provoking devotional.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Thank you for being so kind Crystal. I’m glad you were able to make the connection to how God values us and the way people grade us. It was good to hear from you. Hope to hear more in the future.

  2. Ryan S. says:

    We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes they can be both strengths and weaknesses. Some of the worlds greatest accomplishments came after many failures.

    We have a quote we are reminded of in Taekwondo… “Fall down 7 times, get up 8”

    Some have asked… why isn’t it get up 7? The proverb is not about Failure… failing 7 times for example… The proverb is about trying, about pushing forward, about resiliency, about not giving up. One must try before a failure can ever be counted.

    So as you prayer indicates Bill, I am reminded of the stepping stones. Learn from the mistakes and take another step, learning from the past failures and improving, thus gaining wisdom.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I like that quote Ryan. Makes sense as well. Learning from mistakes sure is essential.

  3. I agree, Bill, that we can take more away from our failures than from our successes, and in the process, we do learn where our strengths and talents lie. I think that’s exactly what God intended.
    Blessings!