Things You Will ... Things You Won't

Regret is a powerful thing. If you get to know someone well enough, you'll probably hear them share, at some point, something they've regretted about their life. I can't tell you how many times I thought about how much I regret that I never went to college. You've heard folks tell of their own regrets and my guess is that you've got a few of your own.

But how about the things that you won't regret? Earlier tonight as I was on my hands and knees scrubbing the shower floor with a toothbrush, I thought to myself, "You won't regret doing this." It's amazing how that prompted so much within my heart. So that I'm not dwelling on the negative list of things I will regret, here's some things that I won't:

I won't regret loving and being married to the same man all my life and being his wife.

I won't regret being a stay at home Mom until my girls got to be in the later years of elementary school. I won't regret picking them up from school and getting to hear all about their day.

I won't regret loving them, investing in their lives and missing them when they moved out and began lives of their own.

I won't regret raising them in the church and living a life that showed them I loved and lived committed to Christ and wanted the same for them.

I won't regret the money I invested in braces, cheerleading, softball, mission trips, summer camps, cars, college and weddings for my girls.

I won't regret the times I surprised them with those expensive Gap pants.

I won't regret praying for their husbands long before they were actually married.

I won't regret all the dinners together and the times when we just got to sit back and enjoy their company.

I won't regret being crazy over my grandson ... and future grandkids. I won't regret smooching, romping, playing, reading, swinging and praying with them.

I won't regret being physically active and doing all I can to be healthy and strong.

I won't regret teaching God's Word, discipling people in their walk with Christ or sitting and listening to those who were broken and hurting.

I won't regret going the extra mile.

I won't regret giving someone a second chance.

I won't regret forgiving someone who hurt me deeply, even if they didn't ask to be forgiven.

I won't regret taking vitamins every day.

I won't regret the road trips to see my family.

I won't regret the times I sacrificed something for myself in order to give to someone else.

I won't regret keeping my mouth shut.

I won't regret serving with all that is within me.

I won't regret obeying the Lord and following where He led me, even when others thought I was crazy.

I won't regret loving and serving the people of Honduras.

I won't regret the times I said I'm so sorry.

I won't regret standing for what is right.

I won't regret being a loyal wife, mom, friend and employee.

I won't regret doing the hard thing, especially when it cost me something.

I won't regret countless hours visiting my Nana at the nursing home and doing her nails each week.

I won't regret going to my nephews graduation.

I won't regret taking a train ride with a dear friend in the fall and marveling at the beauty of God's creation.

I won't regret splurging and eating a McDonald's ice cream cone.

And one thing I'm confident I will never ever regret and that's surrendering my life - past, present, future and eternity to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

How about you? What's something that you won't ever regret?