dust off your britches

I was a dirty little child growing up. Loved playing outside, riding my bike, digging up worms… the 80s were the good old days. When you mastered the art of riding your bike with no hands, that was golden. Felt like I was on top of the world. Until I made a crash landing one day (who am I kidding, I’m clumsy so it was pretty often!). I had blood gushing from my knee, arm, face, goodness I was a filthy mess. My grandma cleaned me up and I was back at it again.

Being from the South I suppose, my grandma and all the other wiser ladies spoke in firm tones, yet refined and proper. We were taught to always say “yes, ma’am/sir”, “no ma’am/sir”, “please” and “thank you”. We weren’t allowed to say words like “butt” or anything inappropriate. We had to call it a bottom, rear end, or a bahonka. Yep, you read that right. I just had to get rid of those red, squiggly error lines under that word. I double checked my spelling on urban dictionary, it’s spelled right!

Anyway, pants were referred to as britches. So, if you got your bahonka dirty from falling off your bike, you got up and dusted off your britches. That simple.

Seriously, I’m so thankful for having strong women around me during my childhood, which had a positive influence in my life.

Almost 5 years ago, I got brave and started a blog. I wrote my first post and it turned out to be my last (you can read it here). Funny thing about growing up… we allow fear, doubt and all those other thoughts creep in and take over. If you know me personally, you know I am very reserved. I don’t open up to just anyone. I cringe at the thought of being the center of attention. I have to force myself to be social and outgoing at times. So, the whole idea of actually writing a blog terrified me. You may have the same personality. You may be the total opposite, and this type of stuff comes naturally to you. I envy that. I know I shouldn’t, but I do.

No matter who you are, I believe we all experience moments of fear, doubt, anxiety, failure, unworthiness, unqualified, and the list goes on. You talk yourself out of what God just may be leading you to do.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

I read something the other day about being faithful in the little things. I certainly wasn’t doing that. I was straight up making excuses. I’m a pro at procrastination.

The hardest part about falling, is often not the fall. It’s dusting off your britches and getting back up again.

We need to give ourselves some grace and begin again.

If you’ve fallen somewhere as well, go dust off your britches, too!

Here I go AGAIN. Almost 5 years later.

Thanks for joining me.