A Clean Slate

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

Failures and mistakes are opportunities to learn. They are wasted only when we don't pause to examine what went wrong and how we will do things differently. Take a lesson from children. They fall, cry for a minute, get back up, and start again. Every day is a chance to forgive yourself, redo, recalculate, and begin again.

It Is Written

PSALM 51:10 -12 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

All Things New

Nothing is a permanent state with God while we are alive. He can change things in a moment when we call out to Him. He is quick to forgive and to pour out wisdom when we ask. Freedom begins with a clean slate, not only for us but also for others. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. He turns our messes into messages.

Prayer

Lord, we have messed up. We own it. We take personal responsibility. We ask for forgiveness. Help us make things right. We forgive ourself and others, and ask forgiveness for the things we have blamed on You. Wash our hearts as David prayed in the scripture above and restore to us Your joy. Help us walk in forgiveness as one forgiven.

Takeaway

God restores.