Mistakes: Make Them Good

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" Rom. 8:1.

Mistakes. Ever make one?

Usually we don't like to admit it--especially publicly. But I have little pride.

Mistakes are good.

Last week began my crazy week. I taught at a woman's retreat, had approximately 3.5 tons of yard work to complete and then needed to prep for a Missions Retreat this weekend before I left for my daughters.

In that mess, a casual friend held the memorial service for her mother. Where could I fit that visitation into this schedule, especially as I live twenty-minutes from town.

Skip the pizza: serve the person.

I had the perfect solution. On my way home from the retreat, I stopped at a pizza parlor and put in my to-go order. I headed over to the calling hours.

Ordinarily, these gatherings have a long line of mourners, so I figured I'd take my place in line, offer condolences, spend ten-fifteen minutes and then take dinner home to hubby and collapse.

When I arrived, I was the only visitor. Of family, only four people beside my friend attended. My heart broke at the loneliness and isolation she must have felt. 

My friend showed me, with great pride, the few mementos she had of her mom. I watched the video and tried to keep straight the family members she pointed out.

Choose life

But my mind whirred.

I was exhausted. My pizza was cooling down the road. A twenty-minute ride loomed ahead of me. Yet, grief, loneliness and isolation wrapped themselves here in the church sanctuary.

After a half-hour, I allowed the evil trinity of my current life compel me out of the sanctuary. I picked up my dinner and headed home.

I was wrong.

A quick phone call to my husband would have allayed worries about my delay. The pizza had been paid for, and we had an oven to bake it in. I should have stayed.

Lessons of a Recovering Perfectionist

• No condemnation. I felt bad, and I should have. Life and friendship is more than the busyness of our own selves. I needed to use this time to learn a lesson.
• Mistakes teach us lessons. Do you think I'll ever let my life dictate my love for others again? Nope. I married a good man. My love for others outweighs my comfort--and people will take a higher priority in my life until I get it right.
• Perfection comes only though Jesus. I goofed. But when the missions conference rolled around, we had an extra room. My closest friend who organized the trip for our church asked me if this woman whose mother had passed should be invited. With glee I nearly leaped up and down. My answer, "Yes, yes, yes." And we were able to bless my friend. I grew to know her more. 

Quick Tweet

Mistakes make us grow. click to tweet

Lessons from a recovering perfectionist. click to tweet

How have mistakes made you more Christlike?

You Can Make Mistakes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Rom. 8: 28

The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. Ps. 145:14

By: Carol McClain @carol_mcclain

You Can Make Mistakes
And Still Be Right With God

My family celebrated my eighth birthday party in my backyard. Indulging in cake and ice cream, I didn't notice my father had disappeared until he suddenly came riding a two wheeler into our midst. Decked with a bow and ribbons, this was MINE.

And once everyone had left, he took me to the road, held the back of my seat and ran me down the street.

It was love at first ride.

For my father, not so much. I couldn't convince him to help me after that first time. So I faced a decision. Sit around and admire my two-wheeler, or learn to ride. I chose the latter (and have the scars to prove it).

Sidling the bike to the curb, I aligned the peddles climbed on and went a few feet. I repeated the process and made it a couple of yards. Eventually, I rode to my neighbors.

Through the process, I learned what didn't help my balance and what did, how to best mount the bike and how to fly faster than I could have imagined.

I learned because I refused to fear making a mistake and failing.

Sadly, too many people worry too much about erring. They fear looking foolish. Believing God will not overlook  a misstep, people refuse to take the first step.

Mistakes are not sin.

Mistakes:

• Are done in innocence
• Lead to growth

Sins:

• We do it deliberately, even though we know better
• Comes from rebellion
• Lead to decay

I'm not talking about accidentally falling in love with a coworker or gossiping and discovering the juicy tidbit you share was false.

However, don't let your fear of making a mistake paralyze you. Try volunteering for nursery. If it doesn't work out, don't feel obligated to spend the rest of your life changing diapers.

Sing in the choir. If you discover you miss the freedom of unobserved worship, step down.

Lend a hand with vacation Bible school, become a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. Learn the flute. Take up forestry.

What doesn't work out will add a stepping stone to the exact spot God wants you to serve in.

Remember the three men given the talents?

Who was the only one reprimanded?

What's holding you back?

Quick Tweets

Life is messy, so get your hands dirty. God allows mistakes. click to tweet.

You can make mistakes. ALL things work for God's glory. click to tweet.