Mega Oops and Mercy

Do you ever find that you have been putting something off and the reasons why are so complex, that you haven't really acknowledged them, not even to yourself?
Maybe this hasn't ever happened to you. Your life may be well ordered and successful, with no unexpected miry messes to entrap and paralyse, or unexpected bumps to launch you into an unanticipated orbit.

Having returned from my Easter excursions, I decided that it was time to clamber out of the pit of procrastination and start tackling those things which I had placed in a mental file to be opened after Easter.  Renewed and refreshed from the spiritual nourishment of Minehead 1 (Spring Harvest Christian Conference based at Butlins in Somerset for the uninitiated.) I resolved to face some of the challenges I had put on hold - one of which was booking my place on a residential weekend I planned to attend.

I searched my emails for the relevant document,
opened it
and discovered to my absolute horror that the closing date for bookings was the end of the previous week.

MEGA OOPS!

#disappointment
#nonetoblamebutmyself
#whatawally

I reflected further.
It wasn't the end of the world.
We could do something else that weekend...

However, knowing that they have to place food orders four weeks before the event, I thought that they had probably given themselves a buffer of time to process the paperwork.  I, therefore, decided to throw myself on the organiser's mercy and see if it was still possible to obtain a place.

In faith, I printed off the booking form and hurriedly emailed a few folks who I thought maybe going, confessing my utter incompetance. To my surprise, they too had been caught out by Easter/post Easter busyness and I suspect the organiser may have received a few more apologetic emails.

Imagine my surprise, relief and delight to receive back an email from the organiser, accepting my belated booking. I have attended this conference for several years, and it is the first time I have missed the booking deadline. I am very grateful that my booking was still taken, despite my failure to meet the well-advertised deadline.
It wouldn't have been the end of the world if I hadn't gone, but it is good to get away to a completely different environment, to learn, reflect and chat through topics of interest. I hurriedly passed on the good news to some of my friends. This may not be a glamorous ball, but I am so very pleased to be going!

I reflected on the evening,

• Procrastination overcome
• Recognition of failure
• Acting in faith
• Mercy, from the organiser
• Grace, I don't deserve
• Good news spread
• Resolve not to repeat the error
• Unhappiness transformed into thankfulness.

Does all this remind you of something?

#cantassumethatwillgetsortedanothertime
#dontmakethatmistakeagain
#gratitude