Mistakes

"There is no one on earth who does it right all the time and never makes a mistake."  Ecclesiastes 7:20

Yes, read that again! Sometimes when we make mistakes we think we are the only one to make a mistake; and we feel bad about ourselves, embarrassed, defeated, a failure. Yet, making mistakes is part of the reality of being human. Being human is to be fallible, that is, capable of making a mistake, capable of failure. The word fallible is often used to describe human error. No person is infallible.

So, such pressure this reality(to be human is to be fallible) should take off me!  I can't be perfect. Ever. Period. No one can, not anyone we admire or love; nor anyone we disrespect or do not even like. We are all human.

Only God does not ever make a mistake. He is all knowing, all good. He is all loving and all forgiving also, especially when we do make mistakes. What should I strive for then? To be God-like, loving and kind and tolerant, accepting of others, especially in today's world where there seems to be much hatred and a lack of acceptance of those who are different from us.  

I must also strive to be forgiving when others make mistakes, and hurt me or hurt someone that I love.  I need to be more tolerant and patient.  There is no right way to live other than God's way, that is, with a merciful, compassionate and loving heart. 

Prayer: Father God, thank you for creating me, even though I can never be perfect. Thank you for loving me, even though I can never be perfect.  Guide me to live by the grace you have given me so that I do not have unrealistic expectations for myself or for others.  Guide me to follow your word and Christ's example and strive not for perfection but to be loving, forgiving and compassionate.

Connie Barry