Look Ahead

How many times have we fouled up when caring for someone? We try to do and say the right things, but inevitably we make mistakes.

It’s easy to focus on those mistakes, forgetting all the things that have gone well in our caregiving. We replay those errors over and over again in our minds. We give in to the “if only’s.” Though we can’t brush off mistakes as completely unimportant, we dare not let them take control of our lives.

Jesus’ disciples knew about making mistakes. They argued with Jesus over His upcoming death. They acted pridefully, shooed children away from the Lord, doubted, scattered when Jesus was arrested, and, in Peter’s case, denied Him. Still, Jesus continued to use the disciples to minister to others.

What can we do when we’ve stumbled in our effort to provide care? We can cry out to God—He’ll forgive the mistake, if only we’ll ask. Whatever He calls us to do, He’ll help us to do. He’ll always support us.