Choir Notes

Begin Again
From Music and the Spoken Word
Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell • Program 4233

According to a traditional story, when English statesman Oliver Cromwell first saw his portrait, he insisted that it be repainted. His objection was that the painting portrayed him with a clear and flawless complexion. "Where are the warts?" he asked. The custom at the time was for portrait artists to idealize their subjects. Cromwell, however, demanded that his portrait be more realistic, "warts and all."

We all have blemishes on our lives, warts of one form or another. We've all made mistakes and been less than perfect. However, to paraphrase a familiar saying, while it's true that "every saint has a past," it's equally true that "every sinner has a future." Every moment of each day gives us opportunity for a new beginning, a fresh start, another try. In fact, responding appropriately to our mistakes is one of life's great tasks. We can resolve today to be more kind and forgiving, more compassionate and patient, more caring and considerate of others.

When we fail, we may want to cover it up, hope that no one notices, blame others, or make excuses. But being aware and humble enough to accept responsibility for our failures is the first step. Next, resolving to change, apologizing, and learning from our mistakes give us the wisdom and strength to move forward. In the process, our experience can make us more compassionate toward others who make mistakes.

No one is ever done. And while we can't push a rewind button on life or rewrite history, we can--and must--learn from setbacks and mistakes. If we are open to such change, life's blemishes can become touchstones by which we evaluate our growth and progress. No matter how deep the flaw, we can each recover from our past and begin again.