And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.
–Rainer Maria Rilke

It seemed like a good idea at the time.
Even afterwards
I could see the gift in it

until I saw it through another person’s eyes.

Then I knew what I could have done
what I should have done
if I had waited a little longer
talked it over
allowed for the possibility
that I can’t see all there is to see
and wisdom arrives slowly.

But all that came 
after
it was already done.
Now, there is only now
and the swirling of 
regret and shame.

This is not how I want to enter the new year–
so aware that what I do impacts others
so afraid of making a mess of things.

But as You sing over me
–sing of the goodness I cannot see
and the hope that’s hard to find–
I am a little more at ease,
a little more open to compassion and forgiveness,
a little more able to welcome
humility.

The Lord your God will rejoice over you with singing.
–Zephaniah 3:17 NIV (adapted)

Credits and References:
Image “Mistake” by W Brown. Used with permission.
Mistake by Esther Hizsa, 2024

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2024.
The unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without permission from Esther Hizsa is prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used provided there is a link to the original content and credit is given as follows: © Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim 2013-2024.  http://www.estherhizsa.com