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Living With Regret by Martin Wiles

I stare out the window on a warm March afternoon of the winter that wasn’t in the southern United States. My garden plot stares back, “Are you going to prepare me?”

I’ve made plans for the initial plowing but wonder… Can I plant it? I have the skills, knowledge and implements. I am capable of buying the necessary seeds and plants. 

Should I plant? An answer not so obvious. In spite of proper care, the plot hasn’t delivered favorable results. What grows well attracts deer. The expense of keeping them away-along with rising prices, makes me question the effort.

Will I? Probably. I come from a family of farmers and gardeners who get itchy this time of year. I’m attracted by the smell of freshly plowed ground, the feel of sweat splattering my face and the satisfaction of watching God transform my efforts.

If I don’t plant a garden, I’m afraid regret will enmesh me as it did God during Noah’s time. The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled (Genesis 6:6). God prepared the earth, planting humans in a beautiful garden. But Eve wanted the one thing God forbade, Adam followed suit and it was all weeds from there. 

God has planted me here for a season. I cannot change the past, have limited control over the present, and the future is tenuous. Regrets poison life. The should’ve, could’ve, would’ves. Looking back makes us prisoners of the past rather than claiming power over it. 

Well, time to stop contemplating, get out the implements and get dirty. I’ll do my part, God will do his, and in the end it will work out for the best. After all, he made the garden.

Prayer: God of mercy, remove our regrets so we can experience Your bright future.
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Comments

  1. Sylvia RApril 30, 2012 at 6:37 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. HeARTworksApril 30, 2012 at 6:51 AM

    I like that, claiming power over the past! Yes indeed, so many are paralyzed because of past experiences, they can't move on! great post, Martin! Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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  3. Joan Davis (Jo)May 1, 2012 at 4:11 PM

    I so agree! Regret poisons life! There is no point in it. When we have brought the past before God (I'm speaking sins, here), and ask for His forgiveness...they are gone! Our slate is wiped clean! We don't need to dwell in the past because Jesus Christ has freed us from it! What a blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sheila at Longings EndAugust 26, 2014 at 11:00 AM

    Looking back makes us prisoners of the past rather than claiming power over it. AMEN! Thanks so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MichelleAugust 29, 2014 at 7:57 PM

    Thnaks for sharing this today! Beautifully written.

    ReplyDelete

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