If only...

I wanted to continue writing about contentment. So many times we look back and think "If only I had done this...or If only I had said that..." It all goes back to being content. When we think about the if onlys we wish we could do over a situation and aren't happy with our past. Hind sight is 20/20 as they say. It's so easy to be angry and frustrated over the past. Maybe someone wronged you or you were hurt. You have a different "if only". "You think: "If only I had stood up for myself or been stronger then it wouldn't have happened". Part of being content is realizing you need to let go of the past. You can't let the past control you instead you need to give it up to God. God is the controller of time and He knows all that has happened and all that ever will happen. If you have done something you regret I urge you to confess it to God. He's always there for you. The Bible says:
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
"He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19)

Matthew West; a contemporary Christian artist has a song called History. The words are profound.
Listen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB6frYh4uBA

Here's the words:
Its been a bad day, you've been looking back
And all you can see is everything you wish you could take back
All your mistakes, a world of regrets
All of those moments you would rather forget
I know it's hard to believe
Let me refresh your memory

Chorus:
Yesterday is history
And history is miles away
So leave it all behind you
Let it always remind you of the day
The day that love made history

You know you can't stay right where you fell
The hardest part is forgiving yourself
But let's take a walk into today
And don't let your past get in the way

Would you believe that you are history
In the making, in the making
Every choice that you are making
Every step that you are taking
Every chain that you are breaking
History is in the making
Every word that you are saying
Every prayer that you are praying
Every chain that you are breaking
History is in the making
History is in the making
History is in the making

Here's another song by Audio Adrenaline:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kencSLXLxU

Words:
The mistakes I've made
That caused pain
I could have done without
All my selfish thought
All my pride
The things I hide
You have forgot about
They're all behind you
They'll never find you
They're on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom
Of the ocean floor
My misdeeds
All my greed
All the things that haunt me now
They're not a pretty sight to see
But they're wiped away
By a mighty, mighty wave
A mighty, mighty wave
Your sins are erased
And they are no more
They're out on the ocean floor
Take them away
To return no more
Take them away
To the ocean floor


Give your past up to God.

Have you hugged your Mom today?

Mother's Day; a time for memories to come up and new ones to be made. A day we take aside and thank mothers, grandmothers, and aunts for all that they do. I have been extremely blessed with a big family with wonderful women in it. I love Mother's Day in that I can show my Mom how much I appreciate her as well as my Grandmothers. This year it's a little bittersweet though as it always is for those who have lost those they love. All of my great grandmothers have passed, one just last year. I loved them all dearly but I really only knew two well. My Gram and my Nana were women who have helped make me the person I am today.
My Gram was one of the sweetest person I knew. She was always gentle and never spoke harshly. She showed me how to love unconditionally and to hold each day precious.
My Nana was a cultured woman. She had lived in New York City and worked at the United Nations. She was the fun one and always made me laugh. She showed me to never take myself too seriously and that laughing is good for the soul.
I don't know what I'd do without my Mother. She is someone who works very hard even though she is sick. I am so grateful for her as I am my grandmothers.
I want to remind you to show YOUR appreciation for your mothers, grandmothers, and aunts not just on Mother's Day but everyday. Don't wait, you never know what will happen. A life can be gone in just a moment but encouragement lasts a lifetime.