No Regrets!

April 23, 2020

No Regrets!

My initial thought was; “This can’t be good!” 

As I began to skim over the email from my attorney, I was quickly relieved.  I was being invited to consider (or re-consider!) some estate planning items in light of everything that is changing because of the Covid-19 virus.  The good news is everything is up-dated; I am good!

The email was a good reminder of how important it is to live…and die…with no regrets.

Several years ago, a pastor friend was living with cancer.  Another friend and I made a special trip to visit at his home.  Physically, Cal was half the size he was a few months prior to our visit.  The cancer was stealing away his strength and his life.  This big man seemed so small lying in bed.

We visited for a while.  Then before we left, I asked if the three of us could pray.  I remember Cal scooting to the edge of the bed and sitting up; it was not easy! 

The other two of us were on our knees in front of Cal as we held hands and prayed.  I cried while we prayed.  I knew it would probably be the last time to see Cal before he went to heaven.

When we finished praying, we said our “Good-byes” before heading for home.  I was so happy we had the opportunity to visit and pray together.

There were two things that changed me that day; first, the profound sense of Jesus’ loving presence in that bedroom and second, the importance with living and dying with no regrets.

Jesus tells the story of two men who go to a place of worship to pray.  One is a very religious but pride-full man who believes he does not need forgiveness.  The other is a despised tax collector who is so broken because of his sin that he begs the Lord God for forgiveness. 

Both men pray.  But, it is the prayer of the tax collector that catches our attention. He is filled with regret because he has cheated people out of money and ruined people’s lives.  He does not even feel he can come close to God.

In Luke 18:12 we hear; “The tax collector stood off at a distance and did not think he was good enough even to look up toward heaven.  He was so sorry for what he had done that he pounded his chest and prayed, ‘God, have pity on me!  I am such a sinner.’”  Here is a person overwhelmed with regret!

Of all people, it is a tax collector who Jesus uses to teach us about living with no regrets.  The lessons are simple to understand but sometimes difficult to execute.

First, forgiveness is the only cure for regret.  Second, prayer is the only path that leads to forgiveness.

I left Cal’s bedroom with no regrets.  A couple of days later, I received word that he had died.  I was grateful for our last visit, our prayer time, and for three buddies being together in the name of Jesus.  No regrets.

I still have a few regrets about some other things.  But, I am continuing down the path of prayer so I can experience the forgiveness of Jesus.  The last thing I want to do is live…or die…with a list of regrets. 

I try to make a commitment each morning to take delight in Jesus who loves me, accepts me, and forgives me.  I pray often and ask Jesus for forgiveness.  Often Jesus gives me the assurance all is forgiven. 

I invite you to live and love with no regrets so you may experience the peace and joy and love of Jesus.

Take delight in the Lord!

Doug