Do you beat yourself up over mistakes? By Desiree Future

Hi everyone, please meet Desiree Future, my good friend and one of my writing critique partners.

I’m on vacation this week and asked Desiree if she would be my guest blogger. Desiree has a terrific website where she shares her heart and wisdom. Please welcome her. https://desireefuture.com/

Do you beat yourself up over mistakes?
By Desiree Future

After just a year, my multifunctional toaster oven stopped working, so I went shopping. I was done with the appliances that could do everything under the moon except the main thing it was for.

The big metal box took up so much room on my counter. Yet all I could do was toast bread and make the occasional pizza, but the cheese never melted.

Opening my browser to shop online, I set out to get what I wanted. What exactly was that?

As a single woman, I needed a smaller version of my oven to roast veggies and other smaller items. I also wanted a grilled provolone cheese sandwich on sourdough bread. As well as a tasty turkey burger. I discovered a panini press could do everything I wanted without all the bells and whistles.

With my budget in mind, I searched for hours, reading the reviews, not wanting to end up with the wrong product.

A particular item caught my eye with its style and awesome commentaries, except it was out of my price range. It was the right item, so after deliberating, I decided to splurge.

As I put my panini press in my cart, they offered a coupon that brought my product down to the exact price of my budget. I could have done cartwheels. The day before it was to come, I purchased food, dreaming of the delicious outcome. I couldn’t wait.

I checked the status on the morning my new machine was to be delivered. Weird that I couldn’t locate it in my orders. I rechecked, but still haven’t found it.

Then I realized I never hit the Place Order button. Excited to get exactly what I wanted, I forgot to submit the order. I felt like a complete fool. Feeling disappointed and dismayed at my actions, I fixated on how I could have forgotten to do something so important. What was I thinking?

You write your grocery list to take to the store, then remember you left it on your kitchen table when you arrive. You repeat keys, phone, and wallet before you leave your home. Then you get to your job only to find you left your lunch and coffee on the counter.

I smiled and then laughed, giving myself a break, knowing that this panini press would come, and I would look forward to it even more. It is like a new day, the beginning of something better than before. God grants us the opportunity to open our eyes and see another day. To inhale and exhale this beautiful world we live in.

Have these ever happened to you? I’m very sure they have because we are not robots. From time to time, we forget to do things and make mistakes. But it’s not the end of the world.

We feel bad for what happened but can’t linger in our guilt. Instead, we must move forward and get past it. To know God loves us no matter what we’ve accomplished or haven’t. To make mistakes means that we are human. Learning from mistakes and being present today, not regretting yesterday, means listening to God’s love. Are we listening to Him?

 

Desiree Future is the author of The Pastor’s Heart and It’s a New Season. She’s also a Self-improvement blogger who splits her time between writing encouraging articles and working on her next novel. https://desireefuture.com/