When You’ve Made Mistakes

When You’ve Made Mistakes

The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

I knew that I had messed up. Tempers had flared, and I’d spoken in anger to one of my children. Although we spent time afterward talking and resolving the situation, I went to bed frustrated with myself for once again allowing my child’s behavior to ignite an angry response in me.

As I turned off my light, I shook my head and let out a big sigh. Kyle looked at me with compassion in his eyes and leaned over to pull me into an embrace. He knows how I will replay what I said and how I could have approached things differently over and over again in my mind. I have a tendency to berate myself for not doing better. As he reached for me, he whispered in my ear truth about my mothering, our child, and the good I was doing. Tears flowed as his words soothed an ache over my own shortcomings and even mistakes. I hadn’t done things perfectly, but my husband’s compassionate response was just what I needed in that moment.

Kyle’s tenderness to me when I’d made a mistake reminds me of how God approaches us all. The Lord is so full of mercy and love. He doesn’t lose patience with us, even when we deserve it. This, to me, is the perfect example of what a good friend should be. Being able to accept apologies from others and love them through their mistakes is one of the greatest ways that we can be a friend to those around us. None of us are perfect—we will all need a little mercy and compassion from time to time, and that’s okay. In a world that often wants to point out others’ flaws and failings, we can be the ones who come alongside to encourage others, especially after they’ve messed up.

— Kendra

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Offer encouragement to a friend who has recently made a mistake or is downtrodden or discouraged by life.