Listen

But can anyone know what they’ve accidentally done wrong? Clear me of any unknown sin and save your servant from willful sins. Don’t let them rule me. Then I’ll be completely blameless; I’ll be innocent of great wrongdoing. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:12-14

Think

Sin is not limited to those things we have done. Our sins are also the things we have not done, our unknown sins, the sin we’ve committed because we don’t know better or simply aren’t aware of the impact of our words and actions.

When someone tells us our words or actions have hurt them, we may be tempted to explain or defend ourselves, saying, “But I didn’t mean to,” or other words that seek to make our actions milder. Most of us rarely mean to hurt others consciously. Yet we do. Our thoughts, words, and deeds can wound, oppress, and denigrate others, even if it’s not on purpose.

When we are confronted with how we have hurt others, what if we heard this through God’s grace as a chance to learn? Maya Angelou is credited with saying, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Hearing the consequences of our sins, even those sins we didn’t mean to do, is a way God invites us to know better, then do better.

Laurie Brock

Pray

Forgiving God, open my heart and mind to recognize how many of my sins may be unknown to me, hurting other children of God simply because I am not aware of the impact of my words and actions. Give me courage and grace to admit my shortcomings and faults. Remind me that I am loved and forgiven. Guide me to do better as I love and serve you. Amen.

Go

We are Christ’s presence of love in the world.

How will you share this love with those you meet today in what you think, in what you say, and in what you do?