If I’m going to screw up…I’m gonna do it BIG! Of course, this time I did it on Easter Sunday…which makes me feel THAT MUCH WORSE!
Am I never going to learn? Jeepers!
So, here’s what happened. A week ago I was hanging out with several ladies from my neighborhood and chatting about our Easter plans. I made a comment in passing that we should do an Easter egg hunt in my yard around 2 p.m. on Easter Sunday since my family and I would be at home this Easter with out-of-town company.
Seems simple enough, right?
Well, as the week went on the ladies one by one texted me about the hunt and what they could bring. And by Sunday, the plan was set to hide eggs around 1:30-2:00 and immediately have the kids go on the hunt.
Ahhh…the best laid plans can go awry, especially if I’m involved.
Around 11:30 on Easter morning I decided to text all the ladies and tell them to move up the time for the hunt to 12:30 because I was about to fall asleep since I’d been up since 4 a.m. preparing to sing at my home church’s sunrise service. Everyone agreed and therefore, we hunted eggs early so I could take a nap.
All would have been fine EXCEPT I received a text at 1:30 from a neighbor asking what else she could bring to the egg hunt at 2:00!!!! Uh, oh….
Yep, I had forgotten to include one of the ladies on the text that Sunday morning about the time change.
Oh Lord, just shoot me!!!
There was absolutely nothing I could do or say in my reply that would make this a better situation. I was mortified, embarrassed and most of all devastated that I had hurt someone unintentionally.
This sweet lady responded to my hopeless reply with a “no problem” and wished me a fun time with my family. Again…just shoot me.
At this point…I could excuse my forgetfulness with “I’ve had guests for a week” or “I didn’t get much sleep” or “I’ve been really busy with work and life.”
However, the point is that I disappointed a friend and her two kiddos and there is absolutely nothing I can do to change that fact. And, there is no excuse for my negligence.
I was much more concerned with me and my exhaustion (get over it) and my company (again, get over it) to double check that text and THINK about who I was affecting!!! Not intentional, but still hurtful.
This situation made me wonder how often we accidentally injure others because we are wrapped up in our own self-centered world. I bet I do it more frequently than I even realize. UGH!!!
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Making mistakes are part of being human, but there are a few things we can do that won’t make it worse.
Don’t lie.
Admit fault.
Ask for forgiveness.
Learn from the mistake.
Move forward.
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:10-14
I am a sinner. I screw up more often than I’d like. But, the hope in what Jesus did for you and me on that cross is what keeps me striving towards better.
What can you do BETTER?
Some Wisdom for Today: Proverbs 28:13 – Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
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