Whoops, My Bad

Eighth graders taught me this term as one’s acceptable excuse. Two plunges into could have avoided mistakes were my entrance to the forgiveness of Lent. You are released from having to read to the end if you, of either sex, have never put a strong colored object in with an all white load and had to redeem a wardrobe of a faded undefineable hue.

Start a week ago afternoon with time to spare before an Ash Wednesday service. Cleaning out a drawer revealed a half bag of dried black beans. One of my favorite soups requires overnight soaking. I brought to a boil, turned off, covered, and sat the pot on the back burner with a mental check to start next step after breakfast in the morning. Except the remember part didn’t happen until late the next afternoon when the sour odor of fermented carbohydrates required abandoning the project. Not noting my mother’s admonition, “You know better than that!” I picked up the pot, poured contents in the sink, and ,oh, yes, hit the disposal button. Whirrs and spraying and a total absence of draining. I channelled my daddy, went out for Drano, and it took three full pour and wait sequences to have a clean sink. Little actions can cause a big mess.

I was chagrined and careful until almost the end of Friday. I promised one friend to find a document, write a few personal notes, and let all wobble over that wire that transverses the universe. I didn’t need a lot of time and thought I had just enough until I pulled down the contact list, wiggled the right pointer finger and moved deliberately to send. Correct first name, totally wrong waiting person. I followed with an apology and tried again. The reply was, “Don’t worry. We all make mistakes.” Not doing right seems to lurk.

In spite of errors, I went on to try an excellent new recipe with canned beans and also had a heart to heart needed contact with a friend. For myself, after these two rushing into action impetuously, I want to pay attention during these days ahead: to choose carefully, say kind words, and ask for that forgiveness that was affirmed during this time. Daily, I want to read and reread the words that John the Beloved sent to remind. They are important.

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:5 – 10