John 11:12
"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
If only . . .
Regrets. Our lives can be littered with them.
If only I had done . . . If only I had chosen . . . If only I had said . . .
Poor decisions. Bad timing. Wrong choices.
Something we wish we had said.
Something we wish we hadn't.
If only he had done . . . If only she had chosen . . . If only they had said . . .
The shortcomings of others loom larger than life.
A glaring mirror in which our own failures are reflected.
Poor decisions. Bad timing. Wrong choices.
Something we wish they had said.
Something we wish, with all our heart, they hadn't.
If only . . . then . . .
A solid marriage. Better job. Steady income. Responsible children. Reliable friends.
Happiness . . .
Jesus, if only You had been there . . . If only, Jesus . . .
But, He was there. And, He is here.
It is not if only, Jesus. It is ONLY Jesus!
Only He can wipe our slates clean. Cancel out the poor decisions. Cover the bad timing. Cast aside the wrong choices.
Only Jesus can forgive.
But, only if we let Him . . .
Are there "only ifs" in your life for which you or others need forgiveness?
Will you pray with me?
Help us, Father, to learn from our past mistakes and not carry our regrets into the future. In true repentance, let us seek the forgiveness of Jesus for ourselves and others who have hurt us. Heal us in mind, body, and spirit that we might live to serve You and do Your will going forward. Amen.
Readings
Psalms 2 or 110:1-5 (6-7)
Jonah 2:2-9
Ephesians 6:10-20
John 11:17-27, 38-44
Martha, have you been reading my other blog??? I only ask because this post is like it was written especially for where my head has been at over the last month :P Thank you for today's post. It truly hit home with me.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I need to let you know that you have received an award. You can pick it up at:
http://allergiesandceliac.blogspot.com/2012/01/we-have-received-award.html#more
Your posts always touch my soul. Thank you for being here :)
Mary, thanks so much for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteI have been reading your posts and as many others from Blogpicity as I can. I'm glad this hit home for you and met you where you are in your journey.
An award??? Thanks so much! I will try to pick it up right now. So honored!
So happy that the posts touch your soul. It is my prayer God will continue to bless me and use me for His purposes.
Blessings to you, my friend!!!
I have more than one regret tucked away from my past. I've, for the most part, learned to let go of them, but there are stubborn ones that rise up in opportunistic moments, stealing peace. Thank goodness for God's grace. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, thank goodness for His mercy and grace, Jessica! Regrets certainly can steal our peace if we let them . . .
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by today!
Blessings, my dear!
Martha...thank you for this posting, as I so needed it today. I will continue to read your writings to remind me that God is with me and Jesus will forgive me for my sins. Thanks for providing some comfort to me today! -Ginger-
ReplyDeleteMartha, what a gorgeous post on the best gift of all that Christ has given to each of us.
ReplyDeleteRegrets are like worries, the eat away at today and keep us stuck in the dark. We need to be present and hopeful each moment in order for us to move forward.
Thanks for sharing this lovely word today!
Hugs,
Leah
Hi, Ginger and Leah, thanks so much for stopping by today!
ReplyDelete@Ginger - I'm so glad to know that this post gave you comfort and met you where you are on your walk with the Lord. So pleased you want to keep reading, too! :)
@Leah - Yes, regrets are, indeed, like worries. We can't add a minute to our lives by worrying about anything; we have to let go and let God. Thank you, too, for your kind and encouraging words.
Blessings to you both!
Hi Martha:
ReplyDeleteRegrets? I decided long ago that word was going to be taken out of my lexicon. I have no regrets. I knew I wasn't gonna wake up one day saying Shoulda. Woulda. Coulda.
I'm entirely happy with my life at the moment. I have a friend unlike any other. I have a job I love and it's because I made the choice to do what I needed to do to get where I am.
--
Chris
Hi, Chris! Thanks for stopping by today.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great to live life in happiness, loving who you are and what you do?
I'm right there with you on this one and so grateful for it.
Blessings to you!
I'm not sure how I would respond to this because I know He has always been there and I'm the one pushing Him away many times.
ReplyDeleteBut in many instances where I saw grief, death and misery, I'd ask Him continually why...
I pray with you :)
Hi, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteYes, we have all had those times when we've asked God "why?". And, you are right - He is always there for us; we are the ones who do the pushing away. My prayer for us all is that we stop pushing and let God do His work in us.
Thanks for praying with me!
Blessings in His love!