No Regrets

No Regrets
August21

Isn’t it interesting, from our earliest of memories we start in diapers and although we probably don’t want to think about it, some of us will end up in diapers. In the beginning we are taught to walk and talk, but in the end we loose our ability to walk and talk. Now stick with me here. I’ve heard it said before that it doesn’t matter how you start, it’s how well you finish. And while I agree with that statement, I also want to challenge it a little bit here. What about the middle? What about the day-to-day, everyday, exactly where you are right now. Let’s face it people, we are definitely not at the beginning stages of our life and we are definitely not in the end. See, we are in the middle right now. And how we live our life in this middle affects everything. We can’t go back when our kids are all grown up and say I wish I had done more with you, I wish I had talked to you more. When we’ve been married for 40 + years we can’t go back and say I really wish I hadn’t nagged so much and tore my husband down. I wish I had relaxed and enjoyed him more. We can’t turn the clock and say If only I had followed that dream God put in my heart and not let the fear of failure get in the way. If only … if only …

You see, God’s been dealing with me on living my life with no regrets. I have a list. I know the things He has placed in my heart. They are much bigger than me. I will not give up. I will stay the coarse set before me. Will I miss the mark sometimes? Sure. Thank you Lord for Your grace! I get knocked down, but I get back up again. One of my favorite quotes is “Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional” by Roger Crawford.

I always tell my kids never give up- never. And when my time is done here on this earth, I hope that I will have lived a truly authentic life, true to myself and true to those around me. I hope my kids can look at my life and see that I have truly lived this life that God has given me to the fullest. I think of all the people that inspire me. I think of the 91 year old triathlete, Mary Stroebe who is doing her 12th triathlon! I think of my bike friend who is 61 years old. His goal is to ride his bike at least 30 miles a day to stay active. He told me he is saddened by all the 60 somethings in the obituary. He has dreams to travel the world and ride his bike and go on a cruise and learn about foods and chocolates and wines. I look at these people and think, wow- if you can do it, why can’t I?! I want my kids to see my life and know that I lived in the moment and to the fullest. See, I can’t get yesterday back, so I better live my life today as though it were a gift, because it is. This was confirmed to me by Master Oogway in the blockbuster hit Kung Fu Panda when he said, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” We are given no promises of tomorrow, so I better make my today count!

I just did my first triathlon last week. To some it may be small, but to me it was one of my many dreams. If you have something like that on your heart, DO IT. If you have let too many weeks and months get between you and a family member, you be the one to make the call. If there is someone in your life that has hurt you, let them go. Forgive. Let it go. Be free in Jesus name to live your life. If there’s a mission’s trip that has been burning inside of you, start making plans to go. What about that book you’ve always wanted to write? Just start it. You have to start somewhere. If you feel like God has called you to speak but are so afraid, look into those public speaking classes.

Psalm 37:4 (NIV) Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

The Bible says in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” To have goals in life for God, to have personal goals, to have dreams to believe in, to have a vision to serve God, to be determined to see it through.

*Whatever God has placed on your heart, write it out (No matter how long it takes to get there).

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)- Where there is no vision, the people perish
If this blog has done anything, I hope it has encouraged you to live a life of No Regrets! No regrets with yourself, with your family, with your friends.

I end with this song by 33Miles called One Life To love.

ONE LIFE TO LOVE
by 33 Miles
He never thought he cared so much about the minute hand
Until he started praying for a second chance
If he could only do it all again
And trade the long nights that he spent behind his desk
For all he missed
He tells his wife I wish that this moment in this room
Was not me dying but just spending a little time with you
CHORUS
You only get just one time around, you only get one shot at this
One chance to find out the one thing that you don’t wanna miss
One day when it’s all said and done I hope you see that it was enough
This one ride, one try, one life to love
She never thought she cared so much about those little hands
That held on tight the day she left till she was scared to death
Sitting all alone on a hotel bed, the end of the road
The sun has set on her big plans to feel young again
She picks up the phone, dials a number, hears that little voice
That’s haunted every single mile since she made that choice
You only get just one time around, you only get one shot at this
One chance to find out the one thing that you don’t wanna miss
One day when it’s all said and done I hope you see that it was enough
This one ride, one try, one life to love

“I don’t want to survive, I want to live! * WALL-E * 2008

(For their full interview about this song go to: http://www.ccmmagazine.com/just_for_you/story_behind_the_song/11581812/
-It’s really powerful.)

I Have Seen the Light!

I went into my garage the other day to get into our other fridge and realized the light had burnt out in the garage. It was pitch dark. I couldn't see anything. Well, except a small amount of light coming in through the corners of the door leading to the outside. Even though it was only a tiny bit of light,it was, nonetheless, light! I made my way to the fridge by focusing on the light. Without it, it would have been very easy to stumble on something.
The Bible says in 1 John 1:5 God is light and in John 12:46 Jesus says, "I am the light". Also we read in Psalms 27:1 The Lord is my light.
There are going to be times in this life when all seems dark around you, and your not quite sure how to navigate through the darkness. I encourage you to look toward the light. Keep your eyes on Him, and, as it says in Psalms 18:28 (NASB)- For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness.
Trust Him today to bring light in a dark place.

1 Peter 2:9 (New International Version)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.