In my house, miracles happen every single day. No, I am not talking about miracles of Biblical proportions, just your garden variety. I walk in to my living room and ask my kids who left all the toys on the floor and they all say, “It wasn’t me!” Somehow miraculously the toys just appeared in the middle of the living room floor. No one is ever at fault.

Not taking responsibility goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden.

When God confronts Adam for eating from the tree, he blames his wife and then when God confronts Eve she blames the snake.

Compare the reaction of King David when he is confronted by Nathan the prophet for his inappropriate behavior with Bathsheba. David, without hesitation says, “I have sinned.” No hemming and hawing. No ifs ands or buts. He takes responsibility for what he did and this is what great people do.

Problems begin with blaming others for the messes in your life. The first step of cleaning up those messes is realizing that you have to take ownership. Only then can you begin to dig your way out in a meaningful and lasting way.