So the saying goes…

But let’s be honest. We all have them.

No matter that Jesus told us that He has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west, we still have those lingering regrets.

In my devotions this week, it led me to Adam. We ALL know the story of Adam.

But I begin to wonder about “life after the garden”.

As Adam and Eve began their journey as “normal” people, working the land and starting families, how many times did Adam sit down and remember the peace and happiness he once experienced in the garden. How many times did he reminisce about his close walk with the Lord and how he lost that.

I am imagining quite a few times.

Does it mean that he didn’t have a relationship outside of the garden? No, I don’t believe so.

But as with us today, it just means that Adam experienced the consequences of his actions. For Adam, it was losing that pure, innocent “in the garden” relationship.

For me, it’s knowing that I lost precious years I could have been walking closer to God, bringing my children and my family closer to God. I still have the sweetest friendship with my Savior. I still thank God everyday that He chose to save an old sinner like me.

But I still have those lingering regrets, wondering how much I lost in those years.

I pray for God to move in those moments, to help me move past those feelings of regret and into feelings of trust that He can work things that I am praying for out.

I want you to know my friend, that having regrets doesn’t make you less Christian or less saved. It just makes you human. The trick is to not stay there. Don’t live there.

Pray for God to use those regrets to strengthen your resolve for the future. Pray for God to use those regrets instead to remind you of what an awesome God we serve that He would reach down and save us from our past.

I thank Him so much that He not just saved me from my past, but chose to work in me to share Him with you. And I absolutely love it!

Until next time…