Megan Besing: My Writing Adventure: Special Saturday: Called2Speak

“What we have here is a failure to….”

Ever heard that Cool Hand Luke movie quote? Can you finish the line?

I have the privilege of being a part of a blog hop #Called2Speak, one in which we’re suppose to talk about topics that are precious to us. Ones we feel led to speak about in celebration of author Nadine Brandes' newest release: A Time to Speak.

This seemed an easy task. I have many soapboxes lying around. Ones I stand on every now again. Many passions near and dear to my heart, my life, my family.

But the word FAILURE kept repeating itself.

To be honest, it baffled me at first. Failure isn’t a word I like to speak about, because hello, I prefer to hide all those such things, thank you very much. They’re ugly, yucky, and let’s face it, they don’t bring good memories.

Except we all have failures…

Sooo, ~~inhales a deep breathe~~ today, I will speak out against one of mine. B~~ecause if I didn't choose just one this post would go on forever.~~ To continue that Cool Hand Luke movie quote from above...

I have "...a failure to communicate."

Some of my handy-dandy prayer journals

I keep these handy-dandy prayer notebooks. (Anyone Else?)

I write scripture there.

Keep track of my different readings there.

A place where I record my requests and thoughts to God. PRAYERS.

If someone comes across my notebooks ~~because I don't know where I put them al~~l and reads my daily entries, one request they'll eventually find, in some shape of form, is the request:

Lord, show me when/how/where to share You with/to someone.

And just like the movie quote: “If you build it they will come.” (Field of Dreams)

If you pray it—opportunities will come. Truly.

Sometimes I don’t realize an opportunity until after it has past.

Sometimes words immediately spew from my mouth during said given opportunities.

Sometimes my heart starts thumping rapidly, my breathing is tight, and I know--really, truly know, that God seems to be saying, “Here is that moment you prayed for this morning. Right here. Right now. Talk to the cashier--yes, her, about why that comment she mentioned can’t be true. Point her to ME.”

And sometimes I listen. Sometimes I obey. Sometimes I share my Savior with the world.

BUT.

Sometimes I don’t.

I don’t open my mouth.

I don’t listen to the nudge on my heart.

I don’t share the Good News.

I choose to ignore the opportunity that I purposely prayed for.

And for whatever excuse I give myself at the time, I keep my lamp hidden.

I hate those moments.

Because in those moments: I FAIL.

And lately it seemed God has been providing me opportunity after opportunity to loudly stand up for Him. And you know what?

I. Was. Not. Loud.

I've failed more times than I wish to relive.

Romans 3:23 says we all fail. We ALL HAVE FAILED. And that sucks!

But you know what doesn’t? Forgiveness. Mercy. New Life.

After I repent of my failure(s). My pride. My missed priorities, it’s funny how quickly “I’m back in the game.” (10 Things I Hate About You.) And another day, another moment, another opportunity comes knocking—~~literally someone knocked on my door this past week~~. And you know what? I chose correctly: I was loud for my Savior.

Don’t be afraid, “Never give up. Never Surrender.”(Galaxy Quest) of your failures, past sins, or missed opportunities. God never expected us to be perfect. Romans 5:8 says He loved us while we were still sinners. Give God your failures, and "Just keep swimming." (Finding Nemo)

Failures will come. It's what you do afterwards that matters. (tweet this)

I'm #called2speak about #failures. Check out what Parvin's called to speak about in A Time to Speak by Nadine Brandes.

What happens when you live longer than you wanted to?

Parvin Blackwater wanted to die, but now she’s being called to be a leader. The only problem is, no one wants to follow.

The Council uses Jude’s Clock-matching invention to force “new-and-improved” Clocks on the public. Those who can’t afford one are packed into boxcars like cattle and used for the Council’s purposes.

Parvin and Hawke find themselves on a cargo ship of Radicals headed out to sea. What will the Council do to them? And why are people suddenly dying before their Clocks have zeroed-out?

Doesn't that sound intriguing?

What's even awesomer: A chance to win said intriguing book:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7c244e3116/

<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7c244e3116/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="7c244e3116" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_ke9df2ya">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

You can learn more about Nadine and Parvin here, including when the facebook party is.

If you enjoyed my #Called2Speak post, check out the others on the blog hop.

9.28.15 – Gretchen Engel