No Regrets

I think there are songs and even books named "No Regrets." What does that mean exactly....because I seem to have regrets on a daily basis. For instance, today I felt crummy and was trying to get my daughter to school on time. I was walking through her school parking lot and a lady nearly ran us over. Now, mind you, she was in the wrong but then I found myself saying out loud, "Good grief lady!!" Now I said it so loud, partly because my head was clogged, but also because I was ticked off!! Oh yeah, I am in the parking lot of my daughter's CHRISTIAN school at my CHURCH! Ugh. By God's grace the lady didn't hear me. I overheard her say to her daughter, "Hurry up, we are going to be late." I completely understand her problem. But I had a regret - I opened my mouth.

If you haven't noticed, my mouth tends to get me in trouble a lot. My daughter, before we left for school today, actually asked me to my face (as it was three inches from hers because I was zipping up her coat), "Mom...um...did you pray today??" Yep, another regret. Not just the not praying, but the fact that my kid noticed.

I didn't clean my house like I wanted to today. I didn't get the reading done that I should have. I didn't play with my kids as much as I wanted to. I haven't scheduled that prayer gathering yet with friends. I haven't called that friend that was struggling last week. I should have gotten up earlier. I shouldn't have stayed up so late. I shouldn't have made such a big deal about that. I should have made a bigger deal out of that. Things didn't go the way I wanted them to. I didn't really pray today. My spiritual life isn't where I want it to be. I have enough regrets from the last 2 days to fill a Hefty garbage bag. So what am I going to do with them?

It is obvious that in life we are going to have regrets...at least in my opinion. I think that the more important thing is what we do with those regrets that is the issue. Am I going to tow them around and let them ruin my day, my week, my life?? Take it from me, I have spent too many years of my life wishing that I would have done this or wouldn't have done that or wouldn't have said this or that. I think that the enemy has just been dancing all over the promised land that Jesus died to give me, and you know what, I'm not going to let him stay any longer and I'm not going to let him convince me to tote my garbage around like it was a cute Coach purse! Throw it off and run away from it. Dance around in freedom and liberty. I was just reminded again today that we have liberty in Christ. We don't have to worry about yesterday. The sun went down on that day! There's no room in today for yesterday's garbage. The way to have no regrets is to lay them at the foot of the cross and let them be!

If you have been toting regrets, please, set them aside. Lay in bed each night and ask God to take them from you. We can learn from our mistakes but we can't just lay around in them and expect to have any joy. Thank you Lord that you cause all things to work together for my good. Take my regrets from today and help me to walk in greater freedom tomorrow. Ahh. That feels much better to set my sights ahead and truly FORGET WHAT LIES BEHIND. I can't change yesterday but I am determined to make the most of my tomorrow.