Since I was a little girl, it seemed as if awkward moments were destined to find me—one way or another. You know, those kinds of moments that would make you want to go and hide and just disappear overall. Have you had those kinds of moments before?

I remember falling down the steps on the bus in elementary school IN FRONT OF PEOPLE; falling into a hole while running and spraining my ankle IN FRONT OF PEOPLE; jumping up out of my seat during communion when the Pastor called for the “leaders” to take communion, IN FRONT OF PEOPLE! Clearly I was just a member but somehow I managed to get out of my seat and I walked to the front of the church and took communion. I’m pretty sure there had to be at least three-fourths of the church trying to figure out what was going on. I was so embarrassed! But hey! It happened and I approached the Pastor after service and apologized. 

I would rather make the biggest fool of myself IN FRONT OF PEOPLE, than to stand embarrassed before God on judgement day.

You think that’s awkward, wait until I tell you what recently happened at work. One of my Supervisors sent out an email stating someone from Chick-fil-A headquarters would be coming to meet with our team. Honestly, I was excited. But here’s where the lines got crossed up. In the email it stated these exact words: “Please be here no later than 10:45 a.m. dressed in your best business casual attire, and bring the positivity that I consistently see from you everyday. This is a mandatory meeting. Please make the necessary adjustments to ensure you are present and on time.” Taking that information into consideration, I left my desk at 10:45 and approached the door of the room where the meeting was to be held. I could hear voices on the other side of the door and I contemplated if I should go in or not. I finally made up my mind to knock and enter the room. I entered and eyes landed on me—geesh! So many eyes staring at lil ole me. I saw my male Supervisor and approached him and he stated he would come get us when it was time. Talking about embarrassed. I replayed what happened over and over in my mind and I felt like I owed my Supervisors an apology for barging in on their meeting. I sat at my desk beating myself up and thought to myself, “Shameka, how could you be so stupid?” Thing is, I was the only one making a big deal out of it. No one else!

We replay our mistakes over and over in our mind and we allow those thoughts to shape how we feel and how we see ourselves. Cast down those imaginations and bring those thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10: 5).

Choose to focus on God’s grace and not your mistake! 

So here’s what I want to relay to you:

I’m pretty sure ALL of us have done some foolish things that we regret doing and we probably still beat ourselves up for it when God already knew “it” would happen. God is a forgiving God. We just have approach Him in humility and ask for forgiveness. First John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). And after asking for and receiving His forgiveness, we have to forgive ourselves. What we have done should not keep us from humbling ourselves before God. One thing I know is that God’s grace is sufficient to cover our sins. 

Being embarrassed in front of people is one thing but don’t let your mistakes cause you to stay in a place where you don’t reach out to God. Don’t let those mistakes be the very thing that hold you hostage from spending eternity with the Father.

Remember the story of the woman caught in adultery? Just imagine if you were in her shoes and your accusers brought you before Jesus and you were terrified as to what your sentence would be. And we know in those days, the penalty of such an act was death by stoning. Yet, Jesus stated “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the least. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst (John 8:7, 9). This is evidence that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). 

When Satan tries to remind you of what you did, tell him “That is already covered.”

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

I want to encourage you to continue to stay before God and read and study His Word. Be mindful of what the Word of God says about you so that when thoughts that are not in alignment with His Word come to your mind, you will be quick to cast them down. Also, have a penitent heart and be willing to ask for forgiveness quickly. Not only that, be quick to forgive. 

It does not matter what you’ve done, God’s grace is sufficient to cover you!