Do over

Do you ever wish you could do something over?  Dumb question, right?  I am constantly having something pop into my head and wishing, "Oh, how I would love to go back and do that over!  I would do it so differently!" 

I wonder, too, why it is now - when I am in my 80's - that some things become clearer to me.  I am constantly saying to myself, "Why didn't I realize that when I was in my 20's or 30's or even 70's?!"  Still, every day, even in my 80's, I go, "Wow!  That thing I said or did...last week, or yesterday, or even within the last hour, should have been done or said differently.  Wish I could go back and do it over!"

I was thinking about that this morning and I immediately thought, "Thank God for Jesus, Who is the same yesterday, today and forever!"   He doesn't wish for do overs because He never makes a mistake.  That must surely mean that He didn't make a mistake when He made you and me. 

I think the problem arises when we think we have to be perfect.  That doesn't mean we don't stop striving for perfection, but the One who IS perfect stands in the gap for us.  He will make ALL things work together for our good, if we keep loving him and keep His purpose and His kingdom always in front of us.  It's when we start to think it is all up to us.  

Many times, as I drift off to sleep at night, I will say my old childhood prayer:  "Now I lay me, down to sleep.  I pray the Lord my soul to keep....."

It is up to us to pray.  It is up to Him to keep.