Hennie Symington 

… and forgive one another as God forgives you in Christ. Ephesians 4:3

Life offers us endless opportunities to make mistakes. And often these faults and flops are imprinted on our minds where they are constantly replayed in our minds.

Man is indeed a strange creature. We love looking back, thinking “What if I married someone else?” “What if I studied this instead of that?” The list of “What ifs” is endless. Lot’s wife for one, was so concerned with what lay behind her, that she turned into a pillar of salt. We love digging up all the bad things that happened to us over a lifetime. Listen to those conversations at family gatherings where each one takes a turn at rehashing the past. “You were the favourite …” Or “I always had to do the dirty work …”, “I didn’t have the opportunities you had …” “What if I studied this instead of that?” And that while each one of them is alive and well, has a roof over their head and a white bread under the arm (figuratively speaking of course). That’s the way people are. So often we forget the “days of gladness” while and reveling in the hard times and, unable to let go of the disappointments, our losses, and the suffering and pain we’ve experienced. In the process life passes us by in a litany of recriminations and lost opportunities. However, the one who is mature enough to let go of the past and reaches out to what lies ahead, knows that every day given by God is a privilege and an unrenewable gift.

Lay down your burden. The Lord knows how difficult it is for us to lay down the pain and trouble we’ve seen. If you are weighed down by your burdens, write them down on a piece of paper. Then read them out loud and ask yourself: “What can I lay down at the feet of my Heavenly Father.” Then scatter them in the wind, and don’t look back, because waters that have passed, can never be milled again.

Prayer: Lord, how often do we stress about things that cannot be changed. Teach me to reach out to what lies ahead so that I can approach every day lighthearted and free in the knowledge that nothing can separate me from your love. Amen