If I Could Not Fail

I have a sign hanging in my office that says, “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”

That got me thinking about hospitality.  There was a time when having people over for a meal would have thrown me into a frenzy.  I would fret over what exotic dish I should cook, fear it would be awful or worse, would make everyone sick.  I would over-clean the entire house, cleaner than it ever was for my own family. Every out-of-place item would be stuffed into any available closet or drawer, not to be found again for years. 

Now, many years later, we find that the more we host these gatherings, the easier they are to do!  We keep specific staples in the pantry, lots of pre-made options in the freezer, and we generally make most meals potluck.  Everyone brings something… and we do the main dish and provide the place.  We keep a stock of paper plates and plastic cutlery on hand, just in case there aren’t enough dishes and silverware to go around.  And the more we have folks over, the more consistently we keep our home clean and ready.  But, a little mess just means we are “normal” and no one has ever expected the “perfect home” over the fellowship time.  Oh, and most don’t expect an exotic meal.  Getting together is more about sharing hearts and building friendships and less about food!

Isn’t that the way with all things in life?  Things that overwhelm us are things we have never tried.   We fear the unknown. The “what if’s”, “I’ve never done that” and “What if I fail?”  thoughts paralyze us and keep us from “doing”.   Fear is overcome by simply doing that which we fear.  After that…it’s a cinch! 

Is there something you aren’t doing in life because you fear failing? Start small.  Keep it simple.  Learn as you go.  “What would YOU do if you knew you could not fail?”