The more I learn, the more I realize I need to learn. I learned a long time ago that the best way to make no mistakes is by doing nothing. But in the pursuit of all God has called you to, there will be mistakes along the way.

This phrase has been a go-to for me lately – guilty as charged. I let people down. I let myself down at times. And when I do, there is so much freedom in….”guilty as charged”. Freedom? YES! In God’s kingdom, when we surrender and repent, we go free. We all mess up. We don’t measure up. We miss the mark. We try and fail. We stumble. We say things wrong. We take things wrong. We. Are. Human. And THAT’S OK!

Confession: my greatest fear is for you to misjudge my motives and misunderstand by extreme effort to please God (and you) as anything less than just that. If I do mess up in even a small, insignificant way or make a wrong move, or get an attitude back with someone who has one toward me, I have been known to beat myself up for days as if I were the only one who made the mistake or engaged wrongly in the happening. But in reality, often, it’s just that I am the only one who owns up to it and repents for it and is wiling to be the one who is wrong. Though for years this whole scenario ate me alive, now-a-days I just go Ahhhhhh! Ok, Sorry. Stone me with your words or silence or rejection or whatever you feel you need to do. But even though you simply lack self awareness or the willingness to get real and admit your part in this, it’s ok. I got you! I can have enough grace for you and me both! I am finding that I really don’t have to stand up for myself like I used to think I needed to. The Bible tells us He is our rear guard and if He is for us who can be against us.

Don’t you think it’s so much more freeing to just say, “guilty as charged” God’s still working on me. I didn’t handle that right. I didn’t say that right. Yep, I should have…… (fill in the blank) or sorry I didn’t give you what you wanted from me. Or whatever the situation…..

Try it! Instead of always insisting on being understood, or explaining your motives just go, “Ya know, I get it. Sorry I let ya down. I’ll do better next time!” Or “Guilty as charged.” Own it wether they do or not and go free. I’m the world’s system, guilty as charged gets you put in jail but in God’s way of doing things, it literally sets you free!!!

Listen, we are all going to find ourselves in messy relationships at times where we don’t navigate things perfectly and when we do, those we love have a choice. They can love us anyway or walk away or brow beat us. All we can do is hope they choose to love us anyway and purpose to return the grace in time! It’s their choice. Not ours. But as long as we keep it real and want to make things right, grow, learn and own our junk, we can go free, happy anyway with or without their love for us anyway.

Happy Monday!