Epic Fail

"For the word of God will never fail.”  Luke 1:37

As far as Fridays go, today started out as an epic fail for me. Let me explain . . .

This morning, I talked about someone negatively--a lot.  I knew it was wrong the minute I finished my volcanic eruption and took a breath, and I felt terrible; desperate to snatch the words and stuff them all back into my mouth, but it was too late.  The things I said were all true, but I was being more of a Ham than a Shem or a Japheth (Genesis 9:18-27).

As the day wore on, I asked God to forgive me, and I knew He had, but I was still disappointed in myself.  

Does that ever happen to you?

I had two chocolate chip cookies and milk in an attempt to mask how I really felt.  That just added to the disappointment in myself.

After work, I headed to the grocery store and muttered to myself, Thank you, God, for a peaceful trip to the grocery store.  What could possible go wrong here?  I imagine the devil was listening, and lest I think there is anywhere I might find myself undisturbed, something not so peaceful happened.

As I headed out of the grocery store with my shopping cart, I saw a strange man in the passenger side of my car.  I had left the door unlocked, and found him rummaging around inside.  I asked him what he was doing, and he seemed confused.  Yet, he stayed right there by my car.  Out of fear, I began to yell that I was going to call the police.  A kind woman came over to help, and the man, a foreigner, began to explain in broken English that he had a similar car.  It turns out he was parked three rows over, and mistook my car for his.  I showed this man no empathy or sympathy--only anger and fear, and I was embarrassed--still wearing the morning on my shoulders.

By this point in the day, I just wanted to crawl in a hole somewhere.  

Have you ever felt like that?

Instead, I dropped my sword and cried for just a while.  And, as I did, I was reminded of Lamentations 3:22, which says, "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease."

We'll never be perfect while we're here on this earth, as much as we strive to be and do what is right.  But, what a comfort to know that even when I think I'm an epic failure, God still loves me, and He won't ever stop.  

1 John 4:17 says, "And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world."

Now, that's something to be joyful about.

Goodnight, Runners.