By DR. DARRYL WOOD / Guest Columnist

Anyone wish to have been in Kyle Williams’ shoes on the day after the NFC Championship Game? Probably not! The San Francisco 49ers punt returner muffed two plays that resulted in 10 points and a win for the opposing team.

Williams drew the ire of 49ers fans far and wide. They “tweeted” him down the river.

He even received threats on his life.

But you have to appreciate the man’s response to it all.

On the “day after” Williams answered press questions about the miscues.

He made no excuses. He blamed no one else. The player said, “It’s one of those things you have to learn from. You have to take full responsibility for it.”

“Full responsibility.” That’s something many people avoid. No one wants to appear incompetent, especially in front of millions of people. But Williams took his medicine like a grown-up and admitted his mistakes.

Jesus told a story about a young man who took advantage of his father’s generosity. The boy left home with his inheritance and wasted it. He returned home embarrassed and ashamed. But he took “full responsibility.” The son said to his father, “I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” (Luke 15:21)

The loving father refused to hear all of the young man’s confession speech. Dad welcomed the boy home unconditionally. In like manner God offers forgiveness to those who accept “full responsibility” for their actions.

You certainly do not want to be Kyle Williams. But you should want to be like him in the sense that you offer no excuses or lay no blame.

When you botch things with bad choices, you may feel shame. You probably want to hide in a closet. But the only way to get past it is to accept “full responsibility.” That’s when you can depend on God to come through with the miracle of forgiveness.

Dr. Darryl Wood is pastor of the First Baptist Church of Vincent. You can reach him at dwood132@bellsouth.net.