room for error

I tried to make the title read: room for error, but I couldn't figure out how to use the slashie poo up there. I thought that was far more clever than spelling out the word no, but it seems as though I've lost all clever points now that I've spelled out my whole should-a, would-a, but I couldn't-a scenario. And that, my friends, is commonly referred to as TMI.

I've mentioned this before (but will not assume that you've read any of my previous ramblings): I'm a recovering perfectionistic people pleaser. Ugh. She's an ugly monster that shows her fangs in those moments when I let my flesh woman take charge. She's judgmental and harsh. Not at all the lady described in Psalm 31. I will now stop referring to myself in third person..

So, I'm the girl who read text books (yes. I actually read them..most of them..skimmed some too, in my defense my dad taught me that survival study skill) with a Sharpie, you know, so I could make note of all the errors the editors missed. I also do this with books in general, and up until some years ago when my mom told me I was defacing library books I would correct errors in them too..with "pencil", of course. I only do it for the big mistakes now, mainly forgotten commas, too many commas, misspelled words, word omissions..In fact I don't proof my posts-a big you're welcome to all you fellow editors out there. [ps when flair was the new big thing on Facebook one of my favorite pieces of flair read: your ≠ you're. I also liked the one with the picture of the hand dryer that read: push button, receive bacon. Now that's humor]

Anyway..now since I'm older and *ahem* wiser (because those two always go together) I realize that there's beauty in the mess. And please join me with a big sigh of relief in knowing that the Lord works all things out for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes (Rom 8:28). Have you ever listened to someone give their testimony, recounting some of their past mistakes and listening to the humility that they carry in their voice when speaking of the love of the Lord. It's beautiful. It's their story, His story.

Making mistakes is inevitable, admitting mistakes is humbling, learning from mistakes is growth, not making the same mistakes is maturity. Thank you, Jesus, for making beauty of my mess.

So, really there is room for error. AKA margin. AKA freedom to fail. AKA grace.

Let's be people who receive the Father's grace. Let's be people who extend grace to others (including ourselves).

Who can you extend some extra grace to today?

Blessings! xox