No Regrets

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:12-16

“I don’t think I did well on that history test today—I should have studied more,” Alicia said as she followed Mom into a store at the mall. “And then Christiana got upset when I said her skirt looked like one you used to wear in high school. I meant it as a compliment, but she didn’t take it that way. I tried to explain and say I was sorry, but I still feel bad about it.” Alicia sighed. “What a horrible day!”

“Well, don’t dwell on it, honey,” said Mom. “Now you’ll know better next time.”

“But I should have known better this time!” Alicia picked a pair of shoes and tried them on. “Hey, these are exactly what I want! Can I get them?”

“It’s up to you,” said Mom. “You’re spending your own money. But this is our first stop—you might find something else in another store.” Yet Alicia was so sure she wanted the shoes that she not only bought them but also decided to wear them.

In another store, they saw the same shoes—on sale. Alicia was dismayed. “I should have waited,” she moaned. “I could have saved some money.”

“Well, it’s too late now,” said Mom. “You’re already wearing the ones you bought, so you can’t return them.”

In store after store, Alicia continued to mope. Finally, Mom took some bills out of her purse and handed them to Alicia. “Here,” she said. “This covers what you paid for the shoes.”

Alicia gaped at the money. “But you told me to wait, and I didn’t listen! Why should you pay for them?”

“Well, because I want you to enjoy your shoes,” said Mom. “And I want to help you understand that because of God’s grace, you don’t have to live with regret. Grace is giving someone what they don’t deserve, and Jesus did that for us when He died to take the punishment for our sin. Because of His grace, we can trust that He’s working everything in our lives out for good, even the times when we mess up. Instead of going over and over what we should have done differently, we can learn from our mistakes and move on. We can enjoy life with Him now instead of reliving the past.”

Alicia smiled and put the money in her pocket. “Thanks, Mom.” – Hazel W. Marett

How About You?

Do you continue to fret over past mistakes? Maybe you got a bad grade on a test because you didn’t study, or you failed to be kind or help someone when you had the chance. Learn from your mistakes so you don’t make them in the future, but then put them behind you. Jesus saved you by dying on the cross, and He wants you to look forward to a life full of His peace and joy.

Today’s Key Verse: Philippians 3:13-14 Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal…Christ Jesus. (CSB)

Today’s Key Thought:

Don’t dwell on past mistakes