I often pray that people will not remember me based on one bad day.

There was that time I had not slept well in three nights, and I was extra irritable. I snapped at my wife, was short with my staff, and was downright mean to the waiter. Then, there was that day when nothing seemed to go right. The mail contained a large bill I thought was paid, the battery on the van was dead due to my own failure, and the Wi-Fi was down at work. This all resulted in my being filled with rage during every interaction.

Over the years, there have been countless days when I was not the person Jesus would want me to be. I can give you excuses, but ultimately, I let my anger win and failed to be a positive example to others in Jesus’ name.

I hope and pray people forget those days. I want them to forgive me. I do not want my identity to be defined by one or a few bad days. 

While I hope that others will not judge me that way, my more significant prayer is that I do not form my opinion of others based on their one bad day. The forgiveness I desire must also be extended to others.  

No one should have their life categorized by one lousy interaction. No one.