Making mistakes

"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honourable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." - George Bernard Shaw

It is easy to point out someone else's mistakes, but what we may never know is the huge lessons they are learning along the way. We are all a 'work in progress' and so perhaps we need to allow for each other's frailties. 

Paul wrote to Timothy to offer him some advice on what could help him live a Godly life:

2 Timothy 3:14-17 - Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Mistakes and seeking advice

Writing is a strange thing. 

Sometimes my mind races ahead of my fingers and I end up typing words that I haven't meant to include. The same applies with silly mistakes - in my haste to finish the post, I often glance at my thoughts and mis-read my own writing. However, when I then re-read the blog post a day later, I am shocked at the mistakes I have made. I apologise for these. 

But, this did get me thinking...

Are there times in our lives where we proceed with actions (or the like) without noticing the potential mistakes? And if the answer is 'Yes', are we then willing to allow others to speak into our lives? The advice of a trusted friend is worth gold in times like these. 

Proverbs 12:15 - The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

Proverbs 27:9 - Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

Do you have someone in your life who is a trusted sounding board? 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A Great Mistake

"Go to God 
With the greatest possible confidence.
It is a Great mistake
To be afraid of 
One who is so loving
And longs for your love." - St. Alphonsus Liguori

There are many people who are so afraid of God that they could never approach the Throne of Grace with any confidence. St. Alphonsus suggests that this is a 'great mistake' and in my opinion, a very sad mistake. I don't believe that my Creator wants me to be so afraid and anxious to come into His presence. Of course, I need to be respectful and honour the Lord, but this is not the same as 'being afraid.'

What do you feel about this?

Romans 8:15 -  The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Mistakes happen

"A mistake proves that someone stopped talking long enough to do something." - Phoenix Flame

When you look at the lives of the early Christians they were not faultless by any means. They made mistakes! In their desire to spread the Good News they stepped on some toes, they argued with each other, they had to deal with conflict and I am sure they made numerous faux pas's. But, in the end, at least they were being obedient to the charge given them. They did not just talk -they acted.

2 Corinthians 8:5 - "They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do."

Action: Let us not just talk the talk. Let us act. 

Living in Grace
D3LM3

How refreshing

"...I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” - Jonah 1:12

It is so refreshing to see Jonah own up to the mistake that he made. How often do we hear people say.... "I am sorry, it was my fault!" - not often enough, I don't think. It is interesting to note that as soon as someone puts their hand up and accepts responsibility for their actions, we can then begin to make things right. 

A lot of energy is wasted in trying to figure out who is at fault for a particular problem. That energy can all be focused on rectifying the mistake, as soon as someone admits their role in the mess up. After all, we all make mistakes - we are just not all keen to own up to the fact!

Next time something goes wrong, let's just say "I am sorry" and then we can move on from there.
What do you think? 

"Love in the real world means saying you're sorry 10 times a day." - Kathie Lee Gifford

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Mistakes

Don't be so afraid to make a mistake that you end up doing nothing. Fear can prevent us from living the abundant life. Can you imagine if Peter, James and John (and the other early disciples) were so afraid of making mistakes that they never ventured out of the Upper Room. The world would never have got to hear of the Gospel of Jesus.

"The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake." - Meister Eckhart

Don't be afraid to try, especially if it could bring glory to Jesus.

Living in Grace
D3LM3