THE FINAL WORD FOR THIS WEEK ~

 


This word was sent by an old friend I have known most of my adult life.  Why I knew her momma --in fact I know her entire family.  Good Folks!

You know when I say the word out loud, I hear sadness in its pronunciation.  Some words seem to do just that--there sound relays the feelings held in their meaning.  First thoughts ~  all those parents that have had a representative of the armed forces knock on their door to tell them, "We regret to inform you."  Next thought, "Regrets" sent in response to an invitation.  Perhaps the most poignant thought was the bricks in the road in my past labeled "Regret".  

So of course I went to the definition for clarity ~

One thing which is immediately apparent is the fact that regret always comes from something in our past.  The feeling of regret is present tense, but the action which caused our regret is in the past.  I decided to look up synonyms and here is  part of the list



Reading through this abbreviated list, I notice so many words which indicate great feelings of sorrow.  We ALL certainly have regrets in our lives (some more than others).  The challenge becomes living past our regrets---

forgiving ourselves or others 

and moving on to live in the present.  You will notice the definition categorizes this word as a verb.  Verbs show action.  Showing action denotes being in the present.  Unless you are some magician, you cannot go back and show action.  It is always in the present.  So regret is evidently caused by our failure to leave our regrets in the past, but to continue to drag that ball and chain with us in the present.

How do we do that?  We seek forgiveness, we forgive ourselves, and we confess our inability to leave the past in the past to God ~ asking for His help to live in today.  Sometimes I have to do this over and over, not because God is not faithful, but because I have picked that regret back up.  Learn from past regrets, but leave them where they belong ~ in the past.  

My prayer for us all ~ God to give us the desire, courage, and strength to leave those regrets where they belong ~ in the history book.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
II Corinthians 7:10



4 comments

  1. So many synonyms for regret, Lulu! You make the perfect point though - our regrets may be present, but it concerns something in the past. May God help us to repent, to grieve and then move on with our lives into the future He has planned for us.
    Blessings!

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  2. That was only half of the list, Martha! Yes, praying we can all learn from our past and apply it to today!
    Blessings, My Friend!

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  3. Regrets, I've had a few. But then again, too few too mention. (Sinatra)

    Non, je ne regrette rien. (Edith Piaff)

    The thing is, many people use their past regrets as a prop to feel sorry for themselves. As an excuse for their present. "I come from a broken family. I was never good at school. I was always ill when I was young" and so on.

    We can learn from our regrets; but we should move on into the future. Never look back. You'll walk into a tree or lamp post.

    God bless.

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  4. Your words of wisdom in the midst of good humor are appreciated, Victor!
    Blessings!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!