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Once upon a time, I owned a black Chevy truck, lived 9 minutes from Wal-Mart, and headed out to get 3 items a few days before Christmas. When I arrived, it looked like most of Benton County had decided to shop at the same time. Not only was the lot packed, but parking overflowed into 2 adjacent businesses. After circling several times and dodging wannabe NASCAR drivers who kept cutting me off, I found an empty space.
When I later exited the store, I realized 2 things: 1) I didn’t recall where I parked; 2) I stared into a sea of black trucks. Oh, there was a 3rd thing: I was using my ignition key because my key fob was at home. And there’s a 4th I should also mention: I didn’t know my license plate number. So, I began to walk, and that’s when I saw a lady I knew from church. She looked frazzled pushing a basket loaded top-to-bottom while trying to corral her 3 screaming future WWE offsprings. After we passed each other twice, I knew, like me, she was lost. I volunteered to push her basket while she grappled with her kids and searched for her car. It turned out she drove a small, dark SUV, which looked like every other vehicle with the exception of black trucks. She did have a key fob, but, of course, the battery was dead.
She found her Nissan, thanked me, loaded up and drove away. I returned to my own search, but I felt much better. You see, I wasn’t the only one! Even when it’s the result of negligence or lack of planning or silly errors, knowing it’s not just you makes it easier to absorb.
Launching my boat one day, I failed to unhook it from the trailer. When I drove up the ramp to pull the trailer out of the water, I pulled the boat off the trailer, and it landed on the concrete ramp. I had to call a wrecker to lift it back onto the trailer. A crowd gathered to watch. I was embarrassed, to say the least. I asked the wrecker driver if he’d known anyone else to do this. He laughed, “Sir, you’re the 3rd for me this month!” His charge was hefty, but I paid him with a smile. Why? You guessed it: I wasn’t the only one!
Have you ever made coffee in a Keurig and forgot to put a cup underneath? I have. Have you ever turned on a blender and forgot to put the lid on? I have. Have you ever locked your keys in your car? I have. Have you ever been ungrateful for a gift or a compliment or an act of kindness? I have. Have you ever said hurtful words to someone you love? I have.
I share my failings for this reason: if you’ve done any of them, you’re not the only one! God understands when we make mistakes. He’s the source of grace, forgiveness, and do-overs.
Experience is a good teacher if we’re good students. Learning from experience enables us to avoid repeating mistakes and equips us to reassure others, ‘Hey, you’re not the only one.’
Now, before I commit another goof-up and send this article without saying it, remember – you are greatly loved!
–Jackie Chesnutt, Chaplain and Emotional Support Coach for Myers-Davis (7/6/2026)
