Daily Devotional for August 4, 2022

Yesterday, Russell and Sarah led our church’s first sports camp for children.  It was wonderful.
 
The children learned stretching, did all sorts of drills and calisthenics, learned the importance of staying hydrated, and ate healthy snacks.
 
I had the best time watching everything unfold.
 
When it was time for snacks, all the children were sitting at tables in the youth area.  I told them I had very good news.  I said, “Today for your snack, you get to eat broccoli.”
 
What happened next really surprised me.  Instead of throwing walleyed fits, the children were excited to eat broccoli.  They were cheering.
 
This got me thinking.
 
How could I have been so wrong?  I had made a mistake.
 
Don’t get me wrong, this is not the first mistake I have ever made.  It’s the second.
 
My first mistake was thinking I had made a mistake, only to find out I was right all along.
 
Have you ever met anyone who believes they are always right, have all the answers, and are unwilling to admit any failures?
 
Those people are either delusional, mentally ill, or me.  You don’t want to be me.
 
As Alexander Pope’s poem said in 1711, “To err is human and to forgive is divine.”
 
Making mistakes is part of the human condition, but to be unwilling to admit any error, mistake, or sin is the result of exuberant pride.  This has no place in the life of a follower of Jesus.
 
The wisest person God ever made said, “Pride comes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall.”  (Proverbs 16:18)
 
Today you will make a mistake.  Admit it, fix it, and move on.
 
Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, please give me a heart of humility and grace.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.
 
Part of what makes life a wonderful adventure is how we deal with our mistakes.    
 
Also, just for the record, according to the laws in Texas, forcing children to eat broccoli is considered a felony.  They ate good stuff.
 
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins