Top o’ the Mornin’ to Ya!
TLDR: I share personal examples of missed opportunities, from nearly missing a bus to skipping daily journaling. He explains how Kingdom-minded men can respond to failures with grace rather than self-condemnation. This message helps successful Christian men overcome perfectionism and develop resilience in their spiritual journey.
What?
This morning, I had a close call with missing Liz’s bus. It arrived several minutes early, but thankfully the driver saw us running and backed up to let her board. This reminded me of college days when I’d always arrive early for the bus to my job, knowing the next one would be 15-30 minutes later.
I also missed writing in my journal yesterday. With an earlier coaching call and other responsibilities, I simply didn’t get to it, even though I normally write six days a week (taking Sundays off).
Why?
I’m sharing these stories because missed opportunities – whether they’re buses, goals, targets, meetings, or spiritual disciplines – are something we all face. In today’s digital age, which is really an “attention age,” our connections with people are more important than ever. When we miss appointments with others, it affects these crucial relationships.
But I’ve also noticed how harshly we can treat ourselves when we miss things. We drag ourselves down, feeling terrible whether it’s a missed workout, scripture reading, or journaling practice. This perfectionism can lead to a spiral of shame and inaction.
Lesson
The key lesson is how to handle mistakes and missed opportunities with grace:
1. Say you’re sorry (even to yourself)
2. Try to fix it
3. Don’t do it again
But here’s what’s critical: don’t let one miss turn into a thread of failures. Avoid the temptation to think, “I feel bad that I didn’t do that, so now I’m going to be a slug all day, get behind, and pout about it.”
Instead, we need to let it go and move on. This approach is similar to the social skills taught in programs like Boys Town for at-risk youth – practical steps for handling mistakes and moving forward.
Apply
The next time you miss something important – whether it’s a spiritual discipline, a goal, or an appointment:
1. Acknowledge it without harsh self-judgment
2. Take a moment to say “I’m sorry” if appropriate
3. Consider if there’s anything you can do to fix it
4. Make a plan to prevent it from happening again
5. Then let it go completely
Move on and be the leader God made you to be – at home, at work, in the world, in your business, and within yourself. Remember that one miss doesn’t define you or your day.
You be blessed.
Learning From Missed Opportunities: Moving Forward with Grace
