Precision Placement
Day 2 | Regret
A Scripture-centered reading from the Precision Prayer devotional collection.
Robert passed away in May of 1986. This was an interesting time in my life. I was best man in my friend’s wedding the next day and within a week I was in Navy bootcamp.
Boot camp kept my mind focused on the now, not so much about what I left at home. I missed everyone so I didn’t mourn or grieve in normal fashion. Two months later I was married and before the year ended Wende and I are in Chicago as newlyweds away from everyone.
This isolation was both painful but fruitful.
Looking back, I feel like I failed Robert. Steven was my best man and we were the closest. This made sense but what if I had asked Robert?
He was very ill at the time but my regrets are still alive today.
I was busy with my life. Girlfriend turned fiancé. Working. Planning for the future.
Robert’s life ended prematurely. Yes, he was sick. His body finally gave out.
Where I struggle is, could I have made his short 26 years better?
The sad answer is yes.
I can’t go back.
He was 6 years my senior so I understand to a degree.
Have you ever felt this way?
Wondering what you could have done better?
Our minds are a playground for the enemy and regret is a powerful tool that is often used. Even if we have asked forgiveness.
About a month ago we were cleaning out the garage and Wende showed me a picture of Jesus that was moms that she had at her office. Then she showed me another picture of Jesus that was in Robert’s room.
I lost it.
The tears flowed.
I couldn’t breathe.
It was grief like I’ve never felt.
I felt like I finally mourned Robert and mom. It was out of nowhere.
It was cleansing.
Robert was dealt a difficult hand, but God gave him a mother who loved him fiercely.
Precision Practice
In life, we all need a refuge.
A place of safety.
A strong tower.
Sometimes God provides that through people.
Sometimes through His presence.
Either way, we were never meant to carry life alone.
Lay it at Jesus’ feet today.
Release it into his hands.
Precision Passages
Matthew 6:25-30 NKJV
(25) “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
(26) Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
(27) Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
(28) “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
(29) and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
(30) Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Psalms 34:18 NKJV
(18) The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
1 John 1:9 NKJV
(9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.