Sometimes, we’re just not at our best. Like earlier this month, when I picked up my 17-year-old daughter Gabby early from school for her orthodontist appointment.
Scheduling these things is always a hassle: Most of the appointments offered are during school hours or not long after, meaning every time we have to drop what we’re doing, rearrange schedules, and scramble to be on time. And after three years, it’s getting a little old!
Then there’s the process of getting her out of the building early. Back when she was younger, I had to sign in at the office, wait while they called her down, when all I really wanted was to wait in the car while she came to me.
But now that she’s older, I’d heard she could now just sign herself out. So, for her October appointment, I thought I’d be proactive. I called the school early in the morning to let them know her pickup time, thinking they’d send her out right on cue.
I pull up that afternoon, wait in the car, ready for my flawless plan to unfold. Then, I get this text:
I’m still in class. I can’t leave. No one has called me out yet.
What? How could this be? I called the office that morning for this exact reason! Why does this school insist on making things so complicated? I was done.
At this point, the sensible thing would’ve been to just call the office again and remind them.
I regret to inform you that I did not do the sensible thing.
I was running late and tired of the red tape.
I march into the building, tell the security officer I’m there to pick up my daughter, and am told to sign in. I still wanted her to come out, not me go in—but rules are rules.
At the end of the electronic sign in form, up pops a camera to take my picture.
A picture? Now?!
I quickly let the camera snap my unamused expression. I had things to do! No time for a photo shoot.
Moments later, the security guard hands me a printed nametag with the picture I’d just taken. I smile and thank her.
Walking away, I look down and see this:
All I could do was laugh at how completely ridiculous I looked. My only comfort was knowing this was just a fleeting moment I could bury deep in my mental archives and never be reminded of again.
Or so I thought.
Fast forward two weeks, Gabby gets sick at school, and here I am back at that same security desk, with the same security guard. I sign in. She prints me another name tag … with the exact same mugshot from a few weeks ago, which, to refresh your memory, looks like this:
I’m thinking about sending a certified letter to someone in charge (the superintendent of schools, attorney general, president of the free world – whatever it takes), politely requesting that this unfortunate photograph be removed from my permanent record and purged from the face of the earth.
Definitely not my proudest moment.
The whole experience was a lesson in how our worst moments can sneak back up at the worst times.
And it’s a reminder of how Satan loves to do the same—throwing our failures back at us just when we think we’ve moved on, hoping to keep us stuck in a loop of self-criticism and regret.
But here’s the good news: God doesn’t work that way.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1
In Christ, we’re called righteous, holy, and loved. Not even Satan has the power to hold our mistakes over us. We can leave shame behind because God’s grace covers it all.
Next time I’m there, I’m gonna see if I can sweet-talk the security guard into letting me take a new picture. But even if she doesn’t, I’m thankful that, in God’s eyes, my record is wiped clean—and that’s the best news ever.
Think About It: In what areas are you feeling condemned that God wants to set you free?
Prayer: Lord, help me to serve You freely, without self-condemnation. I know that guilt and shame aren’t from You. Give me the wisdom to take my thoughts captive and cling to Your truth so I can serve You fully. Amen.