Confession #16: Sometimes I make mistakes.

My most recent, more noticeable one was in my last post. If you didn't get a chance to read it, sorry but you won't get to read it. I deleted it. If you did get to read it, I'm not sorry for my viewpoint. It hasn't changed. However, I am sorry for sharing it the way I did.

Because it doesn't fit who I am or what I believe in. I am a Christian. To me, Jesus Christ is a wonderful example of living. Yes, I believe He's my Savior but even if He wasn't, He is the perfect example of goodness. I want to be like Him. There's more to that but it doesn't fit the topic of this post.

In reflecting on my last post, I've realized that it wasn't in harmony with my belief in Christ. If Christ was in my shoes posting in a blog or on Facebook today, I don't see him posting a post written the way I wrote. Because my post was antagonistic. I believe Christ loves everyone and has better ways of helping us understand things.

I believe in repentance. When I make a mistake, I believe it's important to do my best to fix it, learn from it, and do better next time. Which is why I got rid of the last post. It doesn't need to exist here. And I'm going to triple think before I post anything like it again. (And probably call my mom as she is infinitely wiser than I am and is part of the reason I realized my action was wrong. Not that she said it was. And she wasn't the only hint God sent me about my mistake. But she did help me see the better solution to my heartache.)

On the other hand, I'm grateful for the learning experience. Throughout my life I've feared making mistakes. They're upsetting as you wondered if they can be fixed or if you hurt anyone in the process or how you'll handle the lost time. But, as I've made more and more mistakes in my life, more and more I'm realizing that, if I let Him, God really does fix things. Somethings take longer than others, but He's able to fix all the important things. He can fix the unimportant things, too, I'm sure but often doesn't. Which has helped me better recognize what's important and what's not. And He definitely knows the best timing. The point is, I'm less fearful of mistakes these days.

So, if God can fix a mistake, surely He can prevent them, too. So why does He let us make mistakes? This is something I've spent a lot of time thinking about. Especially after suffering a painful divorce that not only affects me but also my children. I believe it's because mistakes are an essential part of learning. There are somethings we just can't understand until we've experienced them. In some cases this means we make mistakes. Like my experience with my previous post. Or a child who eventually does something (like touch something hot) despite the warning of a parent. As mentioned in a previous post, I believe that this life is a learning experience. As such, we were given the freedom to make choices. And with that freedom comes mistakes.

On the other hand, I believe that as we seek His guidance, just as I sought my mom's, He will help us make choices that won't lead to mistakes that destroy us or those we love. His guidance comes in many ways and has never let me down.

So I make mistakes. But life goes on. I repent. I do my best to live happily knowing I'm doing the best I can. And then leave the rest in God's hands.

And I try to teach my kids this. There are times I watch them do things incorrectly. Nothing that would hurt them or is above their level. But I don't rush to the aid of my children every time they can't do something yet or are going to make an easy to clean up mess. And I love the joy that shows in their faces when they finally "get it".

[Note: If you did read my post, I still don't plan on sitting idly by watching society participate in things I strongly disagree with. I'm still going to do something about my concerns. Just something more uplifting.]