Have you ever walked away from a situation or a conversation and just known in your soul you fell short? That you didn’t show up as the mom, friend or leader you wanted to be? I’m guessing I’m not alone here, but it feels like sometimes nearly every day, I find myself in that feeling yet again.
 
Recently, it wasn’t even 8 a.m. yet and my daughter just wasn’t happy with anything it seemed. The breakfast we had wasn’t quite right. Her toys weren’t fitting in the box she wanted them to. It didn’t feel like there was an end in sight to the fussing or whining.
 
I typically try to pause, take a breath and remember it’s just a season of life, but sometimes you just find yourself at the end of your rope. A short but firm, “no,” set my daughter off even further and I felt the frustration flood into my eyes. I had to walk away for a moment.
 
I came back and apologized to my daughter for my short fuse. She immediately leaned in for a hug and a kiss, and then brought over a book to read together. All mama’s shortness forgotten. In just one moment.
 
As we read one of her favorite books together, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed for her quickness to forgive and how this toddler shows me the picture of God’s grace in a way she doesn’t even comprehend yet.
 
“The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him …” – Daniel 9:9
 
How much quicker does God welcome us back into his arms with forgiveness and love? Do we offer that same quickness to forgive to those in our lives?
 
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” – Hebrews 8:12
 
Even when I fall short, God loves me and forgives me. And leaning into him more and more can help me navigate future situations or conversations with more of his grace and kindness than my sinful frustration.

Written by Emily Ahrens, director of marketing communications.