August 8, 2012
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Misteaks :-)
Mistakes. You know what I'm talking about. Mail delivered to you that is not yours. An error in the bill when you get it from the phone company. Something that was promised to arrive on such and such a date, didn't happen. Flying to Rochester while your bags head on off to Chicago. Oh! It can be so irritating! What do you do when these things happen? Hopefully, you just gripe a bit, take a deep breath and work it out. Hopefully, you don't need anger management classes!
The idea that someone always has to "pay" when mistakes happen troubles me. If I trip on the sidewalk outside someone's store, that is my own, clumsy fault. I would never think of suing someone for it! If I burn my mouth sipping hot coffee, it is my own fault for being impatient. Sure, some mistakes are due to negligence, and then, someone needs to do something, but most of the time, it is just our humanity showing, and we need to let it go.The truth is, we all make mistakes. We are prone to it. We are human. We need to cut ourselves (and other people) some slack. We need to practice mercy and grace. Maybe we don't make the same mistakes other people make, but we sure make our share... like the time I came home from work and found the milk in the cupboard and the cereal in the frig. Or, the day I was heading out to get in the car, looked down and realized my skirt was still in the house on the ironing board. Hmmm... I could go on!
I do think it helps to have a sense of humor. It also helps to not take yourself too seriously. Instead of getting "all huffy" and defensive when your mistakes are pointed out to you, isn't it better to just smile and say, "Yup! I did that. I'm sorry. I will fix it."?
I often think of that verse from the Sermon on the Mount. Do you remember what Jesus said about mercy? (Matthew 5:7 NLT) "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Basically, we need to have some mercy "in the bank" for the times we need it, and the way we do that is to show mercy to others.
When I was hurrying through the grocery store one day, I was a bit irritated by an elderly lady who was totally blocking the aisle with her cart. Then, I heard my Heavenly Father gently remind me that I would be that elderly lady some day, and then I would appreciate it if someone showed me kindness.
(Psalm 18:30 NIV) As for God, His way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.
The best thing about making mistakes is that God knows how to fix them. Also, He NEVER makes mistakes. He never gives up. His love never fails. Isn't it good to know that with all the human failure around us there is One we can totally trust?
(Lam 3:22-23 NLT) The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.
One last thought about mistakes --- I realize that I have probably learned MORE from the mistakes I have made then from any other method! I mean, if a kid touches an electric fence and ends up sitting on his bottom with a stinging hand, he probably thinks, "Well, I am never doing THAT again!" LEARN from your mistakes. It makes them worth something!
Mistakes happen.
Comments (8)
Hi, Mae
One think I learned in management was mistakes are normal, but like you suggest, some people have a very difficult time responding properly to mistakes.
I was in a claims office in Columbus, Ohio for the first time. I kept hearing durin the day, 'It's not my fault, It's not my fault, It's not my fault.' I explained to them that mistakes were normal, and they did not upset me or make me mad. Just correct the mistake, but they it up. So in one of my typical crazy ideas, announce that everything that happens wrong on Monday is my fault, Tues it is her fault, etc. So when I heard someone say, 'It's not my fault,' I reminded them who was at fault that day. They finally quit it and just fixed the mistake. lol
I also have leaned more towards God's mercy in my old life. Looking back, I realize He showed me mercy many times and the idea that I could earn is favor looks sillier by the year.
I could never make my mom admit that i was a mistake. She was 39 and dad 59 when I was born. They had a 12 old son already--my brother. She maintained to her death that was planned. lol Sure--1933, middle of our worst depression, going to work hungry, and making 15 cents an our if they could get a job, and they had a burning desire for another child!! lol Anyway, I am glad they made a mistake.
frank
@ANVRSADDAY - I am glad they made that "mistake," too! You were just a blessing they didn't know they needed!
I used to hate to admit I made mistakes and then I heard a speaker say that ,"you can make mistakes, and you and you and you but I can't make mistakes." then she explained how she realized that it was pride.
She had married a man who was a con artist and without going into detail she was fooled and she stayed home cause she didn't want anyone to know that she had made a mistake.
if it happened to anyone else she would support them and love them through it but she didn't do the same for herself. That really made me realize what pride was about and why pride was and how it could be bad.
Amen to that! I make lots of mistakes so I want to be patient with others too!
Amen Sister
@ANVRSADDAY - Frank, when my twins got old enough to think about family planning they asked me why in the world I would have planned to have them in the middle of July when it was so stinkin hot and I told them I didn't plan on ever having children and they said "you mean we were a mistake" and I told them "no, you were all gifts from Heaven" God knew exactly what was happening when your Mother got pregnant
@mlbncsga - Obviously, my dad did not know what he was doing. lol
frank
The upshot of not wanting to admit mistakes is the tendency to find another to place the blame on. I think that has become the watchword of society today - "It's not my fault, it was my parent's/neighbor's/the church, the government, etc."
Thanks for an entertaining and sane post....left your skirt on the ironing board
!
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