We were a little early pulling up for school drop-off, and I was more than a little proud.
“Look at us,” I said. “We really have this down.”
But as my son was getting out of the car, he realized he had forgotten his sportscoat. Without it, he would be out of uniform for the day, and consequences would follow.
My heart fell. I took a big breath. “OK,” I said. “I’ll run home and get it. If I leave now, I should be back before school starts.”
Off I went. As I drove home, ran into the house, found the sportscoat, jumped back in the car, and drove back to school, I thought about how lucky I was that we had been ahead of schedule. Our boys go to school early, so we had extra time. And I could make this extra trip and still make it to work in plenty of time to start my day.
It wasn’t ideal, but it was doable. It was a little frustrating, but it was fine.
Now, there are people who would tell you to let your child live with the consequences. “How will he ever learn?” they would ask. “If you pick up the pieces for him, how will he know to be better organized and remember next time?”
Here’s the thing. There are times when I can’t fix the problem. I can’t always run home for a forgotten item. Many times I can’t. Trust me, my children know about consequences. I think life deals us enough of those as it is.
But when I’m able to fill the gap and meet the need, I do hope they learn a lesson—and maybe a few lessons.
I hope they learn that we look out for one another.
I hope they see that when you make a mistake, others can help you make it right.
I hope they gain a deeper sense of mercy and forgiveness.
I hope they know that they are very, very loved.
And, I hope they will look for chances to fill that gap for others—helping a student who drops his books in the hallway or sharing with one who forgets a snack for after school. I hope they will recognize that taking the time to help someone is not an inconvenience but an opportunity to show love and care.
I also hope that one day maybe they’ll find themselves doing the same for their own children. Because children will forget things at home—the trumpet, the lunch, the math homework, or water bottle. Sometimes you can’t fix it. But sometimes you can—and you will. You’ll run home for the jacket you reminded the child to take or the lunchbox you put right by their backpack.
How many times has God seen my mistakes and reached out with kindness and mercy? How many times have I not left enough time to get to an appointment, and he has made sure there was a parking space right near the door? How many times has he put an opportunity right in front of me when I thought I had lost my chance? God loves us so completely, so fully, so infinitely.
He loves us as we are, with our mistakes, although we might make them again and again. And even when I’ve created the problem I’m struggling with, he’s ready to reach out and offer support and love.
As we continue our Lenten journey, it can be hard to stay on track with the promises we made and the goals we set. It might be helpful to remember that God isn’t keeping track. He isn’t annoyed when we fail. Again and again, he invites us to continue on this path, supporting us as we go, and sending us signs of his love and compassion along the way.
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