Acknowledge Your Mistakes.

Luke 15:17-20
17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20 So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

This story is a portion of the parable talking about the Prodigal Son. How is prodigal defined? I remember the pastor at my church discussing this a couple months ago. She said prodigal means "spendthrift...one who spends lavishly - extravagantly." The son in the sciptures took his father's money and went away from home. He met new friends and wasted the money. We all know that money is a non-renewable resource so to speak - we can run out of it if we're not careful. That's what happened. He ran out of money and consequently so did his friends. He was left alone - without money, without food, and without a home.

However, the son went back to work for his dad. He was unsure whether he would be accepted as a family member but he knew it had to be better than what he was dealing with at the moment and that he would be paid.

His family was very accepting though and they more or less threw a party for him, upon his return. Sure, he made a mistake (and more than one), but his dad was grateful to have him home.

When you think about it, the same is the case between God and us. We can mess up BIG time. However, if we repent, know what we did wrong, and never make that mistake again, God will have that compassion for you that was described in the Bible. He will have his arms wide open for you.

Don't doubt that you're not messing up. We all do. Spend time with God each day understanding the things you know you did that were wrong. If you ask God to help keep you from making the same mistakes again, you will feel God's presence surround you. God is good!