Dear Dad,
I'm sorry I can't be there to spend the day with you and I'm sorry I didn't spend the day with you more often. I'm sorry that we argued so much and I'm sorry for ever saying some of the things that I said. You only wanted what was best for me and I was too stupid to listen to you. If I would have just listened to you I would be there with you right now. If I only knew then what I do now. I know that I really let you down dad and I'm sorry, but I hope that there was a time I made you proud of me. I'll never forget any of the time we spent together; like the times you would play monster with me, or when we would go for walks down the hill. The times when you would give me the royaltickleroonie or the times when you would hold me over your head and I would pretend I'm super-man. I hope, wish and pray that you and I get to spend one more day together. I don't care what we do as long as we're together. Maybe someday we can go back out to that pond and go fishing one more time. Dad, I'm sorry I never told you any of this sooner but I'd rather you know now then never know at all.
Love,
John
This is a man who lives with regret. There are two kinds of sorrow, two kinds of regret: godly and worldly. "Godly" sorrow leads to repentance, which is a change of mind involving action, which is in line with God's will (like Peter's remorse after his denial of Christ). Peter's repentance resulted in Godly change. Jesus would restore Peter to useful service as he went on to help many years of fruitful ministry! "Worldly" sorrow brings death (like Judas' "sorrow" after he betrayed the Lord; Matthew 27:3-5). Judas thought killing himself would solve his regret, but sadly his worldly choice short-circuited his opportunity to live a meaningful life by serving Jesus. His repentance resulted in death accomplishing nothing!
"For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death"(2 Corinthians 7:10)
Chances are, you won't spend the rest of your life in prison for one wrong decision but we all have regrets. When you do something you regret ask yourself if you are taking a godly path of repentance or a worldly path of remorse without hope? In addition to making time to consider all the things we are thankful for this Thanksgiving, this might also be a good time to allow the Holy Spirit to show us if there is anything we will regret by the choices and decisions we are making today. Today may be the day God is calling you to reconsider choices you are making that are not in alignment with His will...
A word of encouragement from the apostle Paul:
"I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:12-13).
"Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit. For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either" (1 Timothy 6:6-7).
"Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," so that we confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"' (Hebrews 13:5-6).
CONTENTMENT is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to & delights in God's wise & fatherly disposal in every condition....It is a work of the Spirit 'indoors.' (The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs, 1599-1646 AD)
Have a truly blessed Thanksgiving!
From all the Pastors of San Diego Bible Church

