There's an expression that I somehow missed as I was growing up, and now I find myself using it to encourage others who feel a bit inadequate in the way they handled or approached a given situation: "You did (or have done) the best that you knew how." It's an expression that I need to say to myself more frequently.
Being the primary bookkeeper and accountant for our personal and piano studio resources, there are many times when my planning and budgeting don't seem to match up with what a present need is or the unexpected curve balls we get. And, since our culture insists that we should always be able to budget, plan and save for future events (and thus avoid undue stress and needs), it becomes very easy to stamp "failure" on my forehead.
But God only asks us to do the best that we can in a given situation, and when the burden becomes too heavy, we are to place it upon his shoulders. How freeing that is! Instead of focusing on all the things I'm NOT doing, I can concentrate on doing what I can and trusting God with the outcome. But it will take quite a bit of reprogramming to undo decades of negativity. Lord, have mercy.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
