Exodus 34:6-7 The LORD God is “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, … forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin”.
When a toddler is learning to walk, we don’t scold when they fall on their bottom. Rather, we pick them up and comfort them. Then we offer our fingers to help them regain their balance so they can try again. Our response to their “failure” is guided by our understanding that they are growing and learning. We understand that falling is a part of their learning to walk.
How might we deal with our own “failures” if we lived out of the awareness that we were still growing and learning in our faith? What kind of progress might we make?
During Lent, make it a time of Overcoming whatever it is that holds us back from being the leader, teacher, helper, or disciple that God wants us to be.
Prayer: Fill me, O LORD, with your mercy and compassion. Teach me to be slow to find fault and quick to forgive … especially with myself.
Amen.
Max K. Jackson