I’m Surrounded by Regret
It’s mid-week again with all its hustle and bustle. The weekend sped by with goals unmet and things left undone. My mental list checks off folding laundry, keeping up with dishes, making meals, spending time with family.
Yet, there is always something I’m beating myself up over. Those areas that still need to be cleaned out and organized. A quilt half-sewn. Looming writing projects, the books I feel pressing on my brain with their story lines, or the devotional book I need quiet and prayer time to delve into.
I am forever second-guessing the choices I’ve made or what I did yesterday. Was it enough?
Regretting The Past
As I look back on 2016, I see a year of regret. And I don’t want to live there anymore.
Once my husband confronted me about how I never measure up to my own expectations. He asked if I would ever put those same tasks onto someone else, anyone else. Something to think about.
[ctt template=”2″ link=”OE5s_” via=”yes” ]Are you crippling yourself with your mindset? Find your freedom in Jesus.[/ctt]
5 Things I Will Never Regret
I refocus again on God’s blessings and not my supposed lack of accomplishment. God has opened up doors and new opportunities at my job. My children are doing well and are healthy as is my husband. Our marriage is strong despite working opposite shifts.
Thinking back over the past months, there are several things I never regret:
1.) Being present to my family (mentally, not just physically).
2.) Time in God’s Word.
3.) Healthy food choices.
4.) Time spent writing.
5.) Being a good steward.
So where do regrets come in and how do I combat them?
Combating Regrets
This morning it was pouring rain. However, over the downpour, I heard a little bird singing her heart out as day was breaking. It reminded me of the scripture:
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26)
And we see in Luke 10:38-42 the story of Martha and Mary and Jesus’ advice:
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’
“’Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
Destressing
Jesus said, “few things are needed.”
Wow. How many items are on my list that aren’t needed? What am I rushing to and from? Am I not worth more than a sparrow? How much is getting stolen from the days of my life, for the way of my thoughts harbors condemnation towards myself.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Jesus also said above, “only one thing is needed.”
What is that? What was Mary doing?
She was sitting at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. (!!) Revelation. That’s my first order of business, listening (reading) God’s Word. Praying, talking to God. And asking to be led by the Holy Spirit.
My prayer is for you and I to live today abundantly. That we would cast off condemnation and rest in the love of Christ. In the midst of all of our to-do’s, He is the one who will center us and guide our steps so we can live a life without regrets.
[ctt template=”2″ link=”YuPUm” via=”yes” ]In the midst of our to-dos, Jesus is the One who centers & guides us so we can live without regrets[/ctt]
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I love this, Laura! I am constantly getting stressed out over what I didn’t get done. Jesus’ words to Martha are the reminder I need each day.
Thank you. I’ve been remember ing this lesson all week also. 🙂
When I struggle with anxiety I need to remember this post! Just let go of what you didn’t accomplish the day before, breathe deep, and rest in God’s arms.
Amen! I pray Jesus’ words stay with us all. Hugs and blessings.
I struggle daily with anxiety and I am not proud of it, I need to remember this, I need freedom
I’ve struggled with anxiety too, Terri. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, it’s something to give to Jesus. It’s just another reason we need Him. It’s another channel for the gospel and an opportunity for us to glorify God.
Laura,
Your message was a beautiful way to start my week. It is so easy to lose focus, become distracted and lose the order of what is important. The enemy is good at telling us what we aren’t because he only knows our past struggles and plays them over and over again. I have found myself listening to those tapes too often. Today is a new day, and as I sit at the feet of Jesus, I’m remembering Jesus is my everything. What I accomplish or don’t accomplish today doesn’t make Him love me any more or any less. He has already proved how much He loved me and my heart’s desire is to show Him how much I love Him. May my life be a sweet smelling fragrance!
Your comment minisyered to me. Thank you. Hope you have a wonderful week!
SO important that we spend time “sitting at Jesus’ feet” every day…
Amen. So much hurry and haste in this world.
This is sooo true! We have so many unnecessary things on our to-do lists when God just wants us where we are!
Yes! ♡♡ It’s a daily struggle to slow down right now. I hope it gets easier.
Heather, thank you for sharing Laura’s post. What a beautiful reminder to stop and examine where are priorities are. We can choose Jesus. – Amy
For me it’s less about priorities and more about my heart. I know what needs to be done, but so often I get distracted by all the things I don’t make a priority (because they don’t need to be) and I feel like a failure because they are left undone.
I gave up written lists of things I had to do a few years ago. I don’t know if my mind’s list is any better. There is a guilt somewhere between being a good steward and the continual tasks we give ourselves. I still don’t have it all figured out, but I know where to find peace.
Thank you for stopping by, Amy.
The mind is a very powerful thing. That is why we are instructed to keep it captive. Thank goodness for the Word to meditate on.
Amen. Thank you, God. We are all like wandering sheep.
Oh, how I can relate with the never ending task at home. This is something I’ve def been praying about myself.
Thank u! Needed this today as I have been wrapped up in many non important things and time to get refocused!!
Blessings!
Just what I needed today, to be reminded that is it seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit that I need to do today and everyday!