Orange Stripes

   Greetings bloglings! :) This week is just flying by, and I'm barely making this a "first part of the week post". Yesterday's anticipated blog shoot met with a couple of roadblocks, but it all turned out for the best, as I have future blog plans squared away in my mind. I'll tell you more on that later...;)

   This morning was one of those mornings when coming up with a new look for the blog was less than easy. Happily, this cute hand-me-down sweater from my mom came to the rescue. I paired it with a knee-length khaki skirt, and donned leggings with knee socks as opposed to tights. An aqua scarf made a cute, contrasting accessory, while boots were my shoe of choice. Altogether, my outfit has a somewhat French look to it.

Outfit Details: Sweater ~ Hand-me-down; Skirt ~ Consignment Store; Leggings ~ Target?; Tank ~ Target; Boots ~ Ross; Scarf ~ Thrift Store 

    One thing I've learned since starting a new job is how awkward, human, and incompetent I can be. Every day I make mistakes, and have to apologize. Being a young adult can be hard, because I often feel like a twelve-year-old who is thrown into the middle of doing grown-up things.

   However, I'm in good company. You're human too! No matter what our age or status is, we still make mistakes. Sometimes we don't think things through all the way. We don't learn everything perfectly after seeing it done once. Our movements are awkward. We get tired. Our best efforts at our tasks are at times failures.

  One thing I've learned from my awkwardness is that it has the potential to help me be understanding of others' failings. When you and I display our humanity, we want those around us to give us some grace. We want to catch a break, and not let our mistakes define us. Remember the golden rule? We should show grace and mercy to others when they are ingloriously human, as we would want them to do to us.

  There is, of course, a time and place for instruction, constructive criticism and help. If someone has sinned, we may need to exhort them (or discipline, if we're parents ;) ). At the same time, the Bible clearly shows us that showing grace and mercy is an important part of our Christian walk. Let us read and pray through these scriptures that we may learn to grow in graciousness and mercy!

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Luke 6:36 

 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

Proverbs 11:16-17

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Matthew  5:7