Putting on my armor

Having my summer's off has been a blessing... to myself and my two little angels.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.  But "some" people think that because I have the summer off, I lay around by the pool sipping Pepsi, have lunch with my friends every day, and go to the park for fun.  Ok, I do those things (hehe) but I also juggle many other duties.  I clean the house, babysit other kids when needed, taxi cab drive kids to and fro, attend every church service offered, and struggle with feeling like a failure.
A very special friend/relative spoke with me yesterday about their struggle of feeling the same way.  I feel like a failure daily really.  I KNOW I fail my Lord way more than I mean to.  I fail my husband, my kids, my dad, my family, my friends... even people I don't know well.  But the encouragement I have is that God is there to forgive me of those things.  I also have the encouragement of the most AMAZING women that God has fortunated me the opportunity to call my prayer warriors.  If I ever stumble, or fall down completely, I know, that on this Earth, I'm not alone.  They are there with Scripture.  They are there with a hug, They are there with an ear.. to listen.  And they remind me that I'm not alone. 
Today my father thought it'd be fun to tell me all the things I do wrong as a parent.  And even though I could've used my mouth to defend myself (and ultimately do more damage to him than I intended), I just took a deep breath and asked him what he meant.  He told me I fussed at my kids over "picking up a sock".  He said it was ridiculous.  And as I listened, I let Satan (or his many demons) pull my confidence down even more.  I would love to find ONE mommy who doesn't feel like she's a failure.  So the timing of this conversation with "Pop" didn't come at the most convenient time.  But you know what I did?  I called my friends to vent, and piece by piece, friend by friend, they put a piece of my armor ON me... until I was fully suited.  Now, I know I'm not perfect, or that my dad was even wrong completely in his thinking, but I know that my kids are AMAZING.  And so are my friends.