Kalynne, a Minneapolis
mom, was sitting at a table in Starbucks, inside a Target store, when she
witnessed an encounter with a young boy and someone she assumed was his
father. The boy accidentally spilled his
red and blue slushee. It splattered and
made quite a mess on the floor. Instantly
the son began apologizing. The father responded,
“Hey, it happens. Let’s go get napkins
and I can show you how to clean it up.” Realizing
that response was one she wanted to remember, Kalynne opened the notes app on
her phone and recorded the conversation.
After patiently helping his son clean up the mess and throwing away the
messy napkins, the father continued, “You’re going to be a human being for a
long time, and you have such a smart brain that it’s important you learn how to
be more aware of what you’re doing. So
next time just be sure to pay more attention to your surroundings so accidents
like this don’t happen. Accidents like
these can be prevented, but it’s still okay if they happen. As long as you take responsibility for your
mistakes, the cleanup is a breeze.”
While still sitting nearby, Kalynne heard the father further respond, “I
know big messes seem overwhelming and you might feel like you can’t do it by
yourself, but it’s okay to ask for help.
There is no problem with asking for help when you need it.”
That’s a conversation I
can hear my loving Heavenly Father saying, too.
“Lord, I’m sorry. I made a mess.”
“You’re human.”
“I’ve given you a smart brain to use to help avoid these situations.”
“It’s important to be
aware of your surroundings and what you are doing.”
“Mistakes/accidents will
happen. Take responsibility and clean
them up.”
“It’s okay to ask for
help when you need it.”
“I’m here to teach, encourage, and come alongside
you.”
As I’m learning and
cleaning up the messes, may I also be willing to be an encouraging and grace
filled helper for others in the process.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable
things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3
“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness
of sins is proclaimed to you.”
Acts 13:38
If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and
purify us from all unrighteousness.
John
1:9
Be
kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ
God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
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