But it wasn’t my fault!

Recently on vacation, I was out at a restaurant with friends. At the next table was a French family with two small children, one of whom—the older boy—was making quite noticeable faces at me, doing everything he could to get my attention.

He loudly screamed through the restaurant while I hoped the parents would step in. And let’s just say, it eventually got really exhausting. When his pacifier finally flew directly at me, an unfriendly comment slipped out of my mouth.

I don’t remember exactly what I said to my friends—of course in German, so the family wouldn’t understand—but it wasn’t the nicest thing. As the small family left, they said goodbye to us. In German!

friend, they had understood everything, and my heart sank! Do you know moments like that, friend?

That situation was a real eye-opener for me. So today, I want to remind both you and myself of something, friend:

People should find love in us, even when we’re (on vacation) seeking peace.

I actually thought twice about whether I should even tell you about my failure, friend. Because I should’ve known better by now... And then I read Ecclesiastes 7:20: "Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins." (Ecclesiastes 7:20 NLT) 

So you don’t have to bury your head in the sand if something like that happens to you. And let’s be honest: it happens to all of us. You can simply ask God for forgiveness, as I did in that moment, because His Word says:

"O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help." (Psalm 86:5 NLT) 

And you can decide to handle situations like this better in the future, yes, to work on your character, even when it gets challenging. Will you do it, friend?

What a beautiful thought it is to know that there are people like you who will do this with me in the future, friend! Even if it costs us a little more.

You are a miracle!