I was six and a half years old and John F Kennedy had been president of the US for just four months when the United States suffered a humiliating military defeat. There was over a year of planning and preparation by some of the finest military minds in the US, including Dwight Eisenhower who led the invasion of Europe during WWII (D-Day).
A US trained and backed team was to land in Cuba and depose Fidel Castro. Compared to D-Day this invasion was a simple weekend party. But within three days they were all either killed or captured.
The finest minds, the most advanced equipment, months of planning, the mighty United States against a tiny island enemy but the Bay of Pigs invasion fell apart and was a total disaster.
Lesson for parents: If well laid plans by great minds can totally fall apart, you’ve got to expect there will be days when your best laid plans explode in your face, too.
The baby didn’t sleep. The preschooler colored a picture to cheer you up – on the wall. The kids are constantly bickering and fighting with each other. You forgot to pick the kids up after practice. The credit card bill is past due. We all have our Bay of Pigs days.
The plan failed. But that doesn’t make you a failure.
You may have recently read the terrifying story of a family that, while traveling, lost one of their kids in a crowded city. But a whole day passed before they even realized he was missing! It took them two more very anxious days to find him.
Sounds like some pretty lousy parents, doesn’t it? The plan fell apart. They didn’t even know it for a whole day.
There will be those disastrous Bay of Pigs days. Don’t let those define you. Pour a little grace on it and move on. The Lord understands. After all, it was his parents who lost him for three days in Jerusalem. And He turned out OK.
Mary lost Jesus and the Bible still refers to her as “blessed among women.” Apparently God gives a lot of grace to moms.
Be like God. Cut yourself some slack. Give yourself some grace.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (Amplified version)
(The Lord) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.
So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].
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