regrets

Have you ever wanted a do-over? You know, a second chance to get it right?

Me too.

Who among us hasn’t missed a deadline, said or done the wrong thing in a relationship, blew a key moment in a sports activity, or forgot to study for a big test?

Who among us doesn’t wish we had said something, wish we hadn’t said something, or wish we had said something different?

Who among us doesn’t wish we had done something, wish we hadn’t done something, or wish we had done something different?

I’ve been reflecting a lot on a monumental mistake in my life from many years ago that, had I handled it differently, would have dramatically altered the course of my life.

Unfortunately, deep regrets and pleadings with God do not a do-over make. History is history.

The cold hard truth is that in real life there are very few do-overs. While the boss may extend the deadline, we may get another at-bat, and the teacher may reschedule the test, most of the time we only get one shot at it.

Which makes it so important to get it right the first time around.

While our temptation might be to focus on lamenting blown opportunities from our past, doing so will not change the facts. Not one iota. Believe me, I’ve tried.

So what do we do?

Seems to me there are three options:

1.      Beat yourself up until you’re black and blue (this is where I am).

2.      Try and correct and/or help the situation (obviously not possible in many instances).

3.      Shrug it off since you can’t change the past.

So, where are you sitting? If you’re on one, like me, well, it’s not a great place to be, is it? Not very productive either. Would advise you to move on to two or three. (In other words, do as I say, not as I do.)

I know, I know, a divine do-over would solve all our problems. But, alas, it’s probably not going to happen.

What happened, happened.

What didn’t happen, didn’t happen.

History is history.

Deal with it (that means you, Chris).

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I press on toward the goal.”1

1  Philippians 3:13-14