Principal's Ponderings

When We Mess Up 

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22–23

If you have ever ended a day thinking, “I could’ve done that better,” you’re in good company. Parenting is a sacred calling but it is also a humbling one. Despite our best intentions, we sometimes lose our temper, speak too quickly, forget a promise, or miss a moment that really mattered. (These are certainly a regular list of my failings!)

And then comes the voice of guilt.

But here is the good news: the Gospel is not just for our children, it is for us. Jesus did not die for perfect parents. He died for real people who try, fail, and get up again by grace. At Devonport Christian School, we do not expect our families or our staff to be flawless. We walk in the freedom of knowing that God’s mercy is new every morning.

Grace does not ignore mistakes, it redeems them.

In fact, some of the most powerful parenting moments happen after we mess up. When we kneel beside our child and say, “I’m sorry, I could have done that better,” we are modelling humility. When we ask for forgiveness, we are showing them what a soft heart looks like. When we admit, “I am learning too,” we invite them into a journey of growth rather than pressure to perform.

God is not shocked by our weaknesses. He meets us in them.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Lord tells Paul,

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

It is okay not to have it all together. The goal of parenting is not perfection, it’s connection. And sometimes the most genuine connections come from shared vulnerability and God’s restoring love.

At school, we teach our students that mistakes are part of learning. We do not shame them for falling short. Instead, we help them reflect, take responsibility, and try again. Imagine if we gave ourselves that same kindness.

Parents, your willingness to grow, say sorry, and receive God’s mercy is not a sign of failure, it is a beautiful witness of the Gospel at work. You are raising children who will remember not just what you taught, but how you lived. And when they see you trusting Jesus with your own brokenness, they will learn to do the same.

So, if you have had a hard week, take heart. You are not alone. And you are not beyond the reach of grace.

Let today be a fresh start, not because you’ve “got this,” but because God’s got you. His compassion never fails. His faithfulness is unshakeable. Our Lord is Limitless. And His grace is more than enough.

In His mercy and love,

Chad Smit