Each Friday my writing stems from a word prompt. Five minutes, one word prompt. The prompt this week is … Regret.
Interesting word. At first glance, what comes to mind is feeling bad about something done – An embarrassing moment, a hurtful word spoken, breaking an object of value. A costly mistake. A wrong choice.
But we can also regret an act not done. The visit not made. The card not sent. The apology not extended. The hug not given.
Life brings us through twists and turns, some expected. Some unexpected and seemingly out of no where.
Regrets – we will all have them, some more than others. Some more deeply felt and lingering.
When regret has come to my life, there is only one place to take it and that is to the foot of the Cross. When IÂ “come to my senses”, much the way the prodigal son did, and return to my Father, regret turns to restoration and redemption.
“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us way from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow…” (2 Corinthians 7:10a, NLT).
Repentance.
No regret.
Only full redemption and restoration.
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Faith On Fire and Faith ‘N Friends and Fresh Market Friday .
Great way to look at regret, Joanne. When I consider my own decisions, it’s typically the moves I haven’t made that fill with a greater volume of regret. Hmmm… Interesting. But the choice for Jesus? No regrets. Happy Friday, friend. #faithonfire
I think the things undone may bring the heaviest regrets, the ones hardest to let go. Thanks for your reminder that we don’t have to let them trap us.
Hi Joanne! I really like this take on regret. It can be a powerful reminder to us that there may be unfinished business at the foot of the cross. Thank you so much for writing!
At the foot of the cross, our regrets lay. I love that image.
I just watched Billy Graham’s funeral. He lived a life of no regrets.
I watched as well and it was moving from start to finish.
Leaving our regrets at the foot of the cross – perfect advice! Really enjoyed this post!
Repentance rather than regret. What a hopeful and grace-filled perspective. Thank you for sharing it. Perspective changes everything.
Grateful, Natalie. We will never regret a perspective which brings us to look up from the foot of the Cross.
“When I “come to my sensesâ€, much the way the prodigal son did, and return to my Father, regret turns to restoration and redemption.”
I love our similar threads of thought on regret. I also love that you added regret over things left undone. Really a good point… That’s a big one for me. I love how my husband asks me, “Did you think of it at the time? Or did you just now think of it and wish you had thought of it then?” His point is that if Holy Spirit didn’t prompt me in the moment, let it go and don’t take on added guilt or regret.
Really glad to be your neighbor on the FMF linkup today ~ Lisa #9
Lisa, your husband is a wise man to ask those questions of you. I will remember to ask myself those questions now too! I am really glad you were my neighbor!
So many of my regrets are the things NOT done or said. I can churn and churn on how I’ve let someone down, let God down. Your words “there is only one place to take it and that is to the foot of the cross†are so vivid for me. Thank you for sharing your wisdom! Cindy
It is so easy to extend grace to others and harder to offer it to ourselves. Grateful He offers His grace to us, time and time again. Blessings!