Friends,

Let’s talk. There is something that’s been on my heart that I want to share.

Life can be hard. There is no way around it. You cannot live and breathe and exist without experiencing some level of pain. It’s an inevitable part of living in this fallen world.

Some pain is a result of extenuating circumstances that are outside of our control, and other pain is a consequence of our actions or even sometimes inaction. This is the pain I want to talk to you about right now.

Friends, sometimes we don’t make the best choices. Sometimes we don’t say the right things. Sometimes we yell at our kids or our spouse. Sometimes we aren’t the best friend. Sometimes we respond in ways we wish we wouldn’t have. Sometimes we break promises. Sometimes we should have reached out but we didn’t.

Sometimes we all make mistakes.

It’s what we do with those mistakes that matters, right?

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Sometimes I say things I shouldn’t say. Sometimes I react to my children and husband in ways I wish I wouldn’t have. Sometimes I drink a glass of wine too many. Sometimes I watch movies that probably aren’t the best for me. Sometimes I let my kids play on devices more than they should. Sometimes I am on my device more than I probably should be. Sometimes. And sometimes. And more sometimes.

But, friends, I am trying. I give things to God. And sometimes I pick them back up. I don’t mean to, but I do. And then I give it back again. And I ask for forgiveness. And I move forward. And I talk to Him. And I pray.

And I tell Him my struggles and my challenges, and I say I’m sorry like I would to a dear friend.

And sometimes I forget to talk to Him. And sometimes I forget to tell Him I’m sorry. And sometimes I realize it’s been entirely too long, and I look at what I’ve been carrying and wonder when I picked it up in the first place.

Friends, there was only one perfect person to walk on this earth. And He died over 2,000 years ago for all of us.

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Stepping out of God’s will brings us pain. There are natural consequences. But there is also grace and mercy and love. It took me a long time to accept that.

So, friends, if there is something you are struggling with, give it to God. He is gentle. And He is patient. And He is tender. And He already knows. So give it to Him.

He wants to help us in our moments of pain. He is waiting for us to take it to Him. All of the things. All of our choices. All of our hurts. All of our wounds. All of it.

There is nothing too big for Him. Nothing.

I have made choices in my life that have caused me pain. I have made choices that have caused others pain. I have made choices that have grieved the heart of God.

I have asked for forgiveness and have been forgiven for much. And will continue to be. Because I will make more mistakes. I will mess up. I will cause others pain at some point in time. Even if I hope to never do so.

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Friends, whatever pain you are carrying. Whatever hurts you have. However your heart may be grieving. Whatever relationships in your life need healing. I pray God meets you there. I pray you are able to accept the forgiveness that has been given to you. I pray you are able to move forward in faith and leave the past behind and allow God to use it for His glory. I pray for healing for your heart.

Sometimes we all make mistakes.

And God loves us through it all.

Originally published on the author’s Facebook page