I know people who live in a constant state of regret. They question every move, lament every decision, and want a rewind option for life.
I know this because I AM that person.
Sometimes I think I’m Jewish because I’m positive I could complain for 40 years and not even realize I’m wandering in a desert. I also really like falafels, but that’s besides the point. I find myself in a monthly daily tension in choosing to believe God works all things out for good… even my mistakes. That’s why I don’t believe we should let our mistakes inhibit our growth in seeing God use even our failures for His glory.
Sheryl Crow coined the expression, You’re my favorite mistake. Oh Sheryl, you’re so prolific! I’ve been thinking about the mistakes that I’ve made that have actually been worked out for God’s glory and good. Here’s a list of some of my favorite mistakes:
- Joining youth ministry happened by fluke!. It was a mistake I got suckered into going to summer camp in Lake Tahoe in 2004. Best seven-year mistake of my life!
- Buying a convertible roadster BMW Z3. Could I afford it? No. Was it a stupid purchase? Yes. Think it was a mistake? Favorite mistake. It allowed me to see the vanity and stupidity in my own life as a single 25 year-old. Annnnnnd drive around with the top down with students from youth group. Fav mistake, y’all!
- Breaking into the BIOLA pool after not returning my employee key. I justified as a ministry opportunity because I invited my non-saved friends from La Mirada high school to join me. See, I was just loving my neighbor as I loved myself! 😉
What are some of your favorite mistakes? Don’t be shy…
Going to law school. I realized I didn’t want to be a lawyer, but I met my husband there. 🙂
Best. Mistake. Ever.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who analyses everything – although notice I’m not quantifying my analysis in any way……;)
So is this a mistake? 😉 I couldn’t resist!
You’re blatantly confusing me with someone because we both know I don’t make mistakes. Duh.
Ok, fine.
My favourite mistake was probably moving out of home against my mother’s wishes (she didn’t talk to me for a month after I moved out!) – I moved into a place that wasn’t the best of situations, but 90% of the time I had a blast and I loved it and grew immensely. Then it all went horribly wrong and I had to move back home broken where, luckily, my Mum loved me instead of telling me she had told me so.
I’d do it all again in a heartbeat, but then I’ve never been incredibly bright 😉
dating THAT boy who I absolutely had NO business being with….it only brought me closer to Christ and His real love for me. AND taught me to wait for the One God is waiting…not the “almost one”. 😉 love you bunches B! xo
Really needed to see that I am not the only one that makes stupid mistakes. But also needed to hear that there is a good that comes of the mistakes I have made lately.
To accept that I need it to be put plainly. Thank you.
I am not sure which mistake to choose from…I am sitting here analyzing which one would be best shared. Oh well….
My favourite mistake was taking a photograph 4 years totally by accident which turned into a love of photography and a venture into becoming a wedding photographer! Hoorah!
Incidentally, today’s Gospel reading:
Mark 4:21-25 “For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.”
x
Whoa, so cool! You fell into your calling. Or should I say “developed” your calling? 😉 Get it? Developed… like a picture… oh never mind! 😉
Moving to Kansas. Where the only thing I have to cling to is Him. No friends or family. Just a job that burns me out. But continually able to rely on Him and know my purpose is to shine the light and focus on what is in front of me daily
Yes, I feel your pain. And I’m praying for you!
Buying a house we never should have. But during our 11 1/2 years of living there, God grew us, changed us, and did all kinds of wonderful things in our lives. But there were times I sure hated that house. LOL!
Taking a promotion that was way to much for me to handle, I was to young and lured by the money. The stress drove me back to the cross and back into the arms of Jesus and teaching me that money cant buy what only the Lord can give.
Wow. That’s pretty deep… definitely gets me thinking. I’d say my favorite mistake was dating the wrong person. I know that probably sounds pretty crazy… but oh well. It’s my favorite mistake because while it did put me in bad situations at the beginning, God has brought me so so far since then and I’ve met amazing people that I wouldn’t have otherwise. Unfortunately I learn the hard way, but the lessons I learned because of that are soo valueable. It’s so cool to see how our God works! 🙂 Love ya’ B!
I love your mistakes…they always make mine look totally normal! 😉
My favorite mistake?
Err, let’s see….
I would say how I fell into substitute teaching out of a time when I couldn’t find the job that I wanted. I fell in love with the children and decided to train for being a teacher (in addition to my original career dream). I taught for a little while, made kids smile and learn lessons that can take them through life, not just to the next grade. And then it ended.
I don’t know if I could truly call it a mistake. I think it was more like a missionary experience in that sense I loved it. I love helping the little ones through life. But I found that teaching in the traditional classroom sense may not be for me.
So now I’m going for my dreams– the original ones– pray for me! 🙂
Great post, by the way. It’s important to remember that we are NOT mistakes to God and even we mess up in life, He loves us enough to give us grace and a second chance. You can never be too messed up for God, too unworthy of His love. His arms are, as the song by Laura Story says, “Mighty to Save”. 🙂
I NEVER wanted to be a teacher let alone a preschool teacher. That’s still weird. I love my babies and they drive me absolutely insane but I have so much fun on a daily basis. I have the privilege of teaching at a private school and have met some neat people who have told me about looking into Play Therapy. I had like 2 child development classes behind me and absolutely no idea what to do in a classroom with 12 four-year-olds. 5 years later I’m still learning and so thankful for it. There is no way I could have done this without the Lord. Daily, I look unto him to teach me how to love and serve the little ones and their parents. I remember crying myself to sleep for like 2 years straight thinking it was all a mistake.
ahhh… THANK YOU! this was so needed today!!! xo
Funny to read this now. On the missions field in Cambodia, relying on God’s provision as it is, just bought a puppy for my 21st birthday (which isnt til April). He’s the companion that I need for now while I live on my own, but boy does he take up all my time. Adorable as anything, just hoping he’ll turn out to be a favorite mistake.
-Millie, learning to die to self…through a dog
Taking me Master’s and not using it?!At least that time I grew up&matured loads:)
Can I just say what a comfort to discover someone that actually knows what they’re talking about on the internet. You definitely realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people should look at this and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular given that you most certainly possess the gift.