Accidents and Mistakes: God Makes Them Shine

Sometimes I capture my best photos by accident. I didn’t even realize I caught the cardinal above in flight until I checked the shot on my camera’s screen. Woohoo! Gotta love it when accidents shine like that, huh?

Other times while trying to focus a shot, I take the picture prematurely. But every now and then, my mistake looks perfect. Evidently, the camera captures it in mid-focus at just the right moment. I can’t take credit for it, but I sure do celebrate it.

No, it’s not me that makes something good out of my foul-ups. God’s the one who can make my accidents or mistakes shine. And not just where photography’s concerned.

In spite of numerous parenting mistakes, God used my efforts and grew our daughters into the amazing women they are today. When it comes to marriage, God has kept Don and me together through all the ups and downs despite our many shortcomings. He even blesses with shining results in lesser things—like when my baking efforts hit an unexpected snag or when our choir misses a cue.

On a worldwide scale, we’ve all heard about inventions and medical discoveries that happened by accident. The world has benefited by penicillin for years now thanks to one of Dr. Fleming’s petri dishes that got contaminated with mold. God made that accident shine indeed, didn’t he?

Our accidents or mistakes may not have such far-reaching effect as penicillin, but isn’t it good to know that God can take our missteps—and even our sins—and make something good out of them? He is not only a great Creator, he is a great Redeemer as well. He can make us shine. And I sure do celebrate that.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” 2 Corinthians 12:9a

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*Photo by me

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Comments

  1. Loved everything about this post from the photo to the story. God is gracious.

  2. I celebrate it too!! That is such a great, fun picture!!

  3. I praise Him that He can take all my messes and use them for His glory!

  4. Debbie and Emily, thanks so much — glad you enjoyed!

    And Vonda, I praise God with you. Heaven knows I make plenty of messes for Him to work with! :)

  5. “All things work together…”

    It may be our mistake, but it never surprises God.

    I firmly believe there is no mess so hideous or crime so heinous that He cannot make something good come from it.

  6. Judith, good verse to go with this post. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful heavenly Father!

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