No Regrets

When I was a teenager, I made so many wrong decisions that resulted in years of regret. As I committed my life to truly following Christ, I was flooded with regrets concerning broken relationships, behaviors, and more. Thankfully I received the forgiveness provided at the cross and began a new life. I realized I could never change the things I now regretted BUT I COULD eliminate having many regrets in the future. This led to a life-style of carefully weighed decisions and established values. Praise God, I can honestly say at age 48 that my regrets of the past 30 years are few and pale in comparison with what could have been!

I don't regret committing to pioneer and pastor The Potter's House in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan these 22 years...I don't regret the people I've loved; not even those who haven't loved me in return...I don't regret one minute spent with my husband, children, or grandchildren...I don't regret the things I did to make our house feel like a home...I don't regret the meals made,laundry done, errands ran, or school programs sat through as my children were growing up...I don't regret the cups of coffee spent with friends or the things done to serve Jesus here or overseas - whether singing, preaching, packing 4,000 craft bags, or scrubbing floors.

I don't regret the things I've done to grow in my walk with God...nor the changes I've made over and over again as I've matured into the woman I was destined to be...nor the hours spent in Bible study and prayer. I don't regret time spent in church or discipling my children at home. I have no regrets for having loved Jesus all these years.

The regrets I have are mostly centered around things I would have done differently if I knew then what I know now...those I've hurt along the way...the friendships lost. There will always be some regrets in life - some things we cannot change. God's abundant grace covers these things so we need not live in guilt and condemnation or sorrow over the past. God's grace gives us precious space to grow and learn. I am so grateful for His grace!

You make choices everyday that will determine how many regrets you will have in the future. Take time to pray and think about what really matters. What is your value system? What is important to you or WHO is important to you. Many of you are still young mothers with the chance to raise your children with few regrets. Don't let life hurry you along without prayer and reflection. Go the extra mile to be the woman, wife, mom, grandma, friend, or "sister" you want to be. Press past any spiritual lethargy, hurts, or distractions to be in church and to grow in your walk with God. Build healthy friendships. Love. These are things I know you will never regret.

Cheering You On,
Pastor Carla