The Mystery of the Stolen Pants

It always amazes me at what God will use to teach you a ministry lesson. This one did not happen in the pulpit, counseling session or on the way to a conference. Rather I was caught unawares in the deepest jungles of my laundry room. I was searching frantically for a certain pair of pants I needed. Now I have two teenage daughters who have this nasty habit of "mistaking my stuff for theirs."

So I did what any regular leader would do. I pointed fingers and demanded to know where the aforementioned pants had "mysteriously" disappeared to. After sending my household into a flurry of directions, my middle daughter came through with the pants in hand.

"AH HA!" I shouted!

"I knew it! How many times have I told you to leave my stuff alone?! Where did you find it?" Her answer brought me down a few notches.

"I found it in your cupboard Mom."

As I thought about this incident, I realized that being a good leader is not about the times you get things right, but what you do when you get things wrong.

It is very unpleasant when you mess up - especially for others to see. I know this one well. I could write a book on all the mistakes I have made in ministry. Now before you think that just making mistakes transforms you into a leader, hold your breath. It takes more than that.

It takes applying these two simple points:

1. Die graciously.

2. Learn the lesson.

There is no shame in admitting failure, especially when the whole world saw it happen! You will get less respect if you try to palm your failure off on someone else and try to pretend that "you meant to do that all along." It is not so difficult to say, "You are right, I messed that up. Let's try again to get it right!"

Then learn the lesson. People will forgive the first mistake, the second they are less likely to trust you. In ministry EVERYTHING is a test or a lesson of sorts. Each time I experience something uncomfortable I say, "There has got to be a good preach in that one!"

By using your mistakes as lessons for life, you will spice up your preaching and become real to people. We all make mistakes, but the secret to being a Godly Leader is knowing how to learn from them. Then to avoid them in the future. If you keep making the same mistake again and again, it could be that the Lord is trying to get your attention and some death to the flesh is needed. But that is another blog all together...

Me? Make Mistakes? Never!

So what is your next message going to be about? Take a look at your failures and mistakes and instead of wallowing in guilt and self pity, use them to apply real ministry. Identify what God showed you. Identify with how you overcame. Then step out with this scripture close to your heart:

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those that love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose. (AMIV)

Responses Posted For This Page

	Response from Clint Wynne :	HI Colette Thi smade for good reading and the practical lesson you learnt really inspired me to accept when you have made mistakes.I know I for one always want to be right especially at home for spiritual leadership but I make mistakes and always see myself apologising to my wife for them.I have learnt something today which I am grateful to God for,Apologising when we slip up,and not giving up going ahead.The Lord richly bless you and your family. I will be reading further on the web for more and also applying your solutions to my personal life. I thank Jesus for the vision in your life to assist belivers like us.

	Response from FEM AREL :	DEAR APOSSTLE COLLETTE TAHNK YU FOR INVITING ME ON THIS VENUE. I AM NOW ON THE APTH WHERE I WANT TO EQUIPT MY CALLING TO GO ON FULL TIME AS THE LORD WANTS ME. I NEED A LOT MORE TO LEARN AFTER ACCEPTING THE CALLING AND THE APTERN I AHVE UNDERGONE SIMILAR TO YOURS. RECIEVING MATERIALS HELPS ME UNDERSTAND WHAATS GOING ON .I WAS ALMOST DEPRESSED NOT WANTING TO BELIEVE I USED TO BE SAMRT BUT WHEN I SAW FAILURE TO FAILURE I AHVE BECOME I AHVE TO STOPPED AND SLOWDOWN AND SEE WAHT BECOME MY LIFE MISERABLE FINACIALLY BANKRUPT MY MARRIAGE COLLAPSING NO HOMES NO CARS BEEN IN LEGAL PROBLESM ALMOST WENT TO JAIL KIDS ARE TAKEN AWAY . MY HUSBAND RELATIVES KEPT ME AT BAY WITH MY HUSBAND GOT TERRIBLY SICK ALMOST DIED OF SEPSIS LAST YEAR. WHEN I BEGAN TO READ YOUR FREE AMTERIALS SLOWLY I AM OVERCOMING THE PAST . AM BETTER NOW PASSING ALL THE VALLEYS OF DEth an now ready to battle with the enemy. i know i am called with the pain and sorrows i undergone who can survive . its is only from the NAME ABOVE ALL NAME I WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME. DISCOVERING GMRN HELP ME LOT IN MY WALK AND THE WALK I AM NOW INTO I KNOW IT WILL BE IN VICTORY FOR THE THE JOURNEY I AM TO TAKE KNOWING I HAVE MY EQUIPPING I KNOW THE BATTLE TO FACE IS EASIER . BE BLESS AND GREAT ABUNDANCE BE UPON YOU AND YUR FAMILY YOU HAVE HELPED ME LOT UNDERSTANDING THE JOURNEY I AM ABOUT TO TAKE

	Response from Marti :	Apostle Collete, You already having foreknowledge of my story in ministry, I thank you for this very important lesson. I have heard just the opposite about sharing our mistakes but now I know through experience and also confirmation through the word given to you that learning from my failures and mistakes and sharing them has indeed shown me how to become a better witness of Christ' love as well as a more compassionate minister of the gospel. Thanks Apostle

	Response from Veronica :	God bless you Apostle Colette and thank you for sharing your experiences - especially in this area. This one I am sure I will need to implement.

	Response from Jula Garrett :	Dear Apostle, Thank you this is a very refreshing Blogsite and you have given me some very good hints. Timing is everything! This came right in time for me as I had been invited to minister and I was wondering what I should minister on and a light just came on as I was reading your blog. Mistakes! That is so good! I have made plenty of them. Well, off I go to work on my message. With Love, Julia Garrett

	Response from Carrie :	I can vouch for what you are saying about admitting you were wrong. When I worked in an nursing home years back one of my dutied was to schedule the resident's appointment on the commuter van. The department that I worked in was medical records and scheduling. There was a hiarchy in that establishment between the departments which always caused tension. Each department was waiting for the next opportunity to chastise the other department for something. One day I was overwhelmed by an onslaught of duties thrown at me from different sources and I forgot to post the schedule early enough for the van driver to see the changes. It was an honest mistake. I noticed my mistake when it was too late. I scurried off to do other things on my list before the Van Manager could lay into me with his verbal bashing and condisending attitude. Everyone usually will cover by lying or saying it was someone else's fault. I was praying ferverishly because I knew I fell short. In my mind I had concieved every excuse in the book but then I heard the Lord speak to my heart. He said, "Carrie, you messed up. Confess that it was your fault." I was shocked to say the least...."But Lord, isn't there any way out? I'm going to look like a fool when he screams at me in front of everyone. I am going to look like an idiot." The Lord spoke again...."Was it your fault?" and I knew it was. Then He said...."Be faithful in all things." I went back to my desk and sure enough the manager was standing there tapping his foot and waiting to plummet me with his self-righteousness and verbal bashing. I stood there raised my chin up and said, "Yes, I was wrong. I am sorry for the confusion. I dropped the ball and cause you an inconvenience. Please forgive me." The Van Manager stood in shock. He didn't know what to say. He never had anyone admit their wrong. Everyone has always casting the blame on the opposite department or they tried in someway to cover their tracks. He walked away then came back a while later and said...."I was simply astounded at how you admitted you were wrong and didn't try to cover for yourself. I am absolutely impressed. Wow, thank you for your honesty." I earned that man's respect. He treated me differently from then on. I will never forget that. It has been an encouragment to me over the years. Honesty is the best policy!

	Response from Jerriene :	Yes I seem to learn much quicker from making mistakes! Thank you for the invitation. I needed to be reminded of my prophetic calling!I will get back into my studies asap!

	Response from FEM AREL :	DEAR APOSTLE COLLETE, MAKING MISTAKES REPEATEDLY MADE ME CONFUSE IN THE PAST THAT I SUDDDENLY REALIZED KEPT MAKING MISTAKES AND WHEN WILL I LEARN FROM MY LESSON. WHEN IT COMES TO BUSINESS MATTER I MESSED A LOT OF FUNDS WHICH MADE ME DEPRESSED AFTER A WHILE MY HUSBAND GAVE UP ON ME AND WANTS OUT.THAT MADE ME EVALUATE WHY SHOULD I PAST THAT FAILURE WHEN I KEPT ON MY KNEES DAILY . REASING YOUR DAILY BLESSING AND THE PROPHETIC PRAYERS MADE ME REALIZED THAT I WILL PASS THAT FIRE TO MORE STRETCHING OF FAITH LOSING ALL THE COMFORTS GAVE ME LISTEN BETTER CHECK ON MYSELF DIE MORE AND THE THE GRACE AND LOVE I SUPPOSED TO SHARE SHOULD BE VISIBLE TO PEOPLE AROUND ME. I NOW DOING SLOW DOWN COZ I AM QUICK O DECIDE AND EASY TO MAKE MISTAKES. I GIVE TIME TO TALKED TO GOD ALL MY PLANS ARE NOW LIFT UP TO HIM AND I SEE TO GUIDANCE WILL HAVE TO BE GIVEN FOCUS . READING YOU AND SEEING YOUR MENTORSHIP GUIDED ME ON PROPER TIMING SO AS TO PREVENT MISATKES WHICH HAVE PLACE ME IN THE PAST IN A VERY DIFFFICULT SITUATION , I AM NOW ON MY WAY OF BEING DELIVERED FROM THIS SAME MISTAKES AND MY WAY TO BLESSING OVERCOMING THE PAST.I WANT THANK GOD FOR YOUR LIFE MAY YOUR MINISTRY WILL SERVE MORE PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO DOESNT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND WHERE I AM HEADING THE INITIALS DYING AND PAIN I PASS TROUGH .REMAIN BLESSED TO GOD BE THE GLORY

	Response from sophia akuffo :	Dear apostle I see this blog as part of the training for leaders they worth much I remember I did sometning wrong to one of the women when I was the leader of the womens ministry, instead of me coming clean and accept my mistake I did it in my own wisdom I did not want to die graciously, that thing cost me dearly and the lord did not let go of it, I learn the hard way thank you for what you're doing Blessings

	Response from LaDean :	Thank you so much for your honesty. As I read about the pants I too have been in the very same place. Admitting I was wrong and then hopefully with the help from above reminding me the next time. Perhaps I was the one who missed placed the item. Great stuff. Again thanks

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The Mystery of the Stolen Pants

It takes applying these two simple points:

Me? Make Mistakes? Never!

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those that love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose. (AMIV)

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