Have you ever done something and immediately second guessed your decision. My husband has been talking about getting chickens for over a year. When he mentioned it originally, I made a deal with him; if you build a chicken coop out of free pallet wood, then we can get some chickens. He completed the coop a few weeks ago, so today my husband, children, and I purchased six baby chickens from our local Rural King. Check out our adorable, but loud, little chicks.
Life is full of choices. In this case, I chose to make a deal with my husband, which morphed into being the proud, yet reluctant, owner of six baby chicks. Did I carefully evaluate my decision? Yes, but not until AFTER I agreed to our chicken coop deal. So, you might be wondering what this has to do with my weekly post.
Choices have consequences. During my teens and early twenties, I made many decisions that I later regretted. I did not think about the consequences of my actions and how much brokenness I would have to overcome in the future. I wallowed in my pity party for several years, as I picked up the shattered pieces of my life.
I was angry. I was hurting. I was confused. I could not see past my regrets.
Haven’t we all been there?
Somewhere in the middle of my mess, I took a closer look at why I was so miserable. True, my choices had set me up for tremendous heartache, but they were not keeping me in this self-imposed prison; I was a prisoner to regret.
It is one thing to feel remorse for a decision, make amends with others, learn from your mistakes, and then move on with your life. It is an entirely different matter to hold on tightly to those regrets and refuse to forgive yourself. This self-destructive pattern can lead to festering wounds and self-hatred. The regrets take front seat in your life, while your joy, dreams, peace, love, hope, self-worth, and relationships are forced into a corner. It is miserable.
My regrets had to go!
As I forgave each decision, I began to see my life transform. My circumstances did not magically resolve. I just got tired of being a hostage to past mistakes that I couldn’t change. Then, as I kept walking steadily on my forgiveness path and allowing God to work out the details, I began to see some good things coming out of even my worst choices. It was truly a story of God making lemonade out of lemons.
Today, I enjoy a life not bound by tormenting regrets. Life is short; if you don’t believe me, ask someone else who has lost a loved one or has overcome great adversity. There is no need for regrets. Do what you need to do to make the issues right, and then let your regrets go. It is the only way you can embrace the beautiful future in front of you.
So, as much as I may have a few second thoughts about my new poultry raising adventure, I am certain that I will have no lasting regrets. The chicks are here to stay. Welcome to the Keepes family, my new baby chicks!
Wow! You really do have a way with words that make someone think about their own lives…Thank you!
This is awesome! I love the chicks! And thanks for the reminder on no regrets! We are facing some some big decisions and this post is a great reminder. Thanks.
Hmmmm…baby chicks….not the eggs right? lol I know the kids must enjoy them so much!!! Regretting takes much energy. My choices have led to great loss but i know that if my hope is in Gods promise then something more wonderful than I can imagine can take place. I know my relationship with Him that happens in search of this balance of life and hope is the greatest gift I can be given.