“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13, 14).
I have a good friend who loves her husband, but she is sometimes disappointed in the life they have together. Her dreams have not been realized. She said that occasionally, she actually takes out the letters he wrote her when they were courting 20 years ago and reads him the promises he made to her.
“Why haven’t you done these things?” she asks.
Sometimes, she wakes up in the middle of the night and grieves about what her life could have been like. She feels bad because her dreams have not been fulfilled. She also feels bad because she hurts her husband.
What is the solution to her problem? She needs to forget the past and begin again.
Let me ask you honestly, do you think the people who have disappointed you are sorry? Do you think they will change because you are unhappy? It is doubtful. Why ruin your own happiness by thinking about your disappointments all the time?
Barbara Bush, former first lady of the United States, said this: “And finally, enjoy life. Enjoy what you have to the fullest. In all honesty, you really only have two choices; you can like what you do or you can dislike it. I chose to like it, and what fun I have had!”
I am going to take her advice. How about you?
Kimberly Snider is a missionary to the Philippines.
From “Moments for Moms,” a free email subscription.
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