“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
I asked my Mom when she was in her late eighties, if she had any regrets in life. She didn’t pause to consider her answer, she automatically said – No, that all she ever wanted was children, and she got four beautiful ones. I was startled because she didn’t stop to think about her answer. I knew at that time if anyone had asked me that question, I would have had a list a mile long.
I have thought of her answer over the years. I knew things weren’t always easy for her, yet she had “no regrets.” I couldn’t wrap my mind around that. How does a person not have regrets? My Mom was a woman of faith and so am I, yet I have regrets. Was I missing something? “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Often we get so bogged down in our lives that we overlook God and His teachings. We let life get in our way of what truly matters. Years ago, a Christian man, said to me, “Laurie, when you’re driving down the road it’s common practice to check the rearview mirror occasionally. But don’t let that get in the way of looking out the front windshield. Remember always to look forward; not back. What a profound statement. I haven’t forgotten what he said to me that day. Sometimes you have to do a lot of self-talk and remind yourself that God is in control. I think most of us can safely say that we do have regrets, but don’t let it keep you from enjoying what lies ahead. Don’t get so bogged down that you are living a life that has already been lived. There’s no changing it. But you can change how you perceive the past and look forward to what’s to come.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, You remind us in Your Word about looking forward. Looking forward to eternal life with You means looking toward and not backward. It means that whatever regrets we have, You have forgiven us through your Son, Jesus Christ when He died on the cross for us. Help us to remember that. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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