“Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” Luke 6:36 (NKJV)
What’s the biggest mistake you have ever made? Sometimes we perceive our mistakes as bigger than they really are. That feeling when you think you have completely wrecked something is not a good place to be.
Two times come to my mind. The first one happened when I was still learning how to drive. We were out on my dad’s trapline, hunting and trapping beaver. We had this huge Chevy Suburban that needed to be moved, and I volunteered to do it. I had it in reverse, and my dad was directing me back. In my excitement, I stepped too hard on the gas, and crashed right into a tree! I stayed in the driver’s seat, looking at my dad’s reaction in the mirror. He did not look happy, so I stayed there for a while before getting out and telling him I was sorry.
My second memory has to do with watching my dad clean his shotgun barrel with a thin willow stick and cloth at the end of it. I decided to copy him and proceeded to clean the barrel of my .410 shotgun . . . until the stick got stuck in the barrel! I was pretty worried that my dad would not be happy with me. I agonized the whole day about how he would react. Later, upon inspecting my mess and hearing my explanation . . . he started laughing! It put me instantly at ease. It affirmed my dad’s love for me and made me think that my mistake was not as huge as I had thought. (By the way, my dad did forgive me for backing into the tree and allowed me to continue driving his vehicles.)
As followers of Christ, we make mistakes in our journey here on earth. I am most thankful that our Heavenly Father is merciful and, when we repent, we are renewed in our relationship with Him.
– Frank Ward
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org