I grew up in toxic family environment where chaos was the norm. As a child, I was expected to pretend that all was well on the outside and just bury everything on the inside. Over time, this caused a deep sense of shame and regret. It took me a long time to realize that the Lord had so much better for me. I was holding on to a stronghold, a lie from the enemy that I was not good enough for big things because of those circumstances from so long ago. The enemy loves to whisper in our ear that “we are all wrong” and many times people just accept that… at least for a time. John 10:10, says that the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. All we need to do is ask the Lord to shine His light into those dark places and pull out any toxic roots. Are you believing any lies today, about yourself about others or about God? I want to share this poem about regret. It really spoke to me and I think you’ll get something out of it also.
Regret City (From Regret to Redeemed)
I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet I found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it. This is my annual “Guilt Trip.”
I got tickets to fly there on “WISH-I-HAD” airlines. It was an extremely short flight. I got my “baggage,” which I could not check. I chose to carry it myself all the way. It was loaded down with a thousand memories of “what might have been.”
No one greeted me as I entered the terminal to the Regret City International Airport. I say international because people from all over the world come to this dismal town. As I checked into the “Last Resort” Hotel, I noticed that they would be hosting the annual “Pity Party.”
Many of the town’s leading citizens would be there. First, there would be the “Done” family; you know, “Should Have,” “Would Have” and “Could Have.” Then came the “I Had” family. You probably know old “Wish” and his clan. (I wish I had done this or that…) Of course, the “Opportunities” family; “Missed Opportunities and Lost Opportunities,” would be present. The biggest family there would be the “Yesterday’s.”
There are far too many of them to count, but each one would have a very sad story to share. Of course, “Shattered Dreams” would surely make an appearance. “It’s Their Fault” family would regale us with stories (excuses) about how things had failed in their life. Each story would be loudly applauded by the “Don’t Blame Me” and “I Couldn’t Help It” committee.
To make a long story short, I went to this depressing event, knowing full well there would be no real benefit in doing so and I became depressed. As I thought about all of the stories of failures brought back from the past, it occurred to me that this trip and subsequent “pity parties” COULD be canceled by ME!
I started to realize that I did not have to be there. One thing kept going through my mind, I CAN’T CHANGE YESTERDAY, BUT I DO HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE TODAY A WONDERFUL DAY. I can be happy, joyous, fulfilled and encouraged.
Knowing this, I left Regret City immediately, and didn’t leave a forwarding address. Am I sorry for mistakes I’ve made in the past? YES! But there is no way to undo them. So, if you’re planning a trip back to Regret City, please cancel all those reservations now. Instead, take a trip to a nice place called: “Starting Again.”
If you need directions, just look into your heart, and enter by “Grace Way.” No taxes or other costs. God’s Son paid the price, in full, for all sins and transgressions, a long time ago.
Author – anonymous
Praise the Lord, we live in the City of the Redeemed!
