I had a good conversation, albeit rather short, with a friend who was laughing about past opportunities and decisions. He started out by saying that something was unfolding that would drive me to make a fresh decision to go back through an old course. There is no chance of that ever occurring but our laughter triggered a time of reflection reflection.
What does one do with reflections and lost opportunities? The job you never took. Or the trip away from home that caused you to miss that special moment. Perhaps it was a crisis event that one missed. Whatever the time and wherever the place the lost opportunities always centers on a choice that was present. A choice was made even if it was a do not make a decision choice. In hindsight one sees the price of the action along with the alternatives. Embedded in the alternatives are what might have been and what could be now. Clearly the past is the past but oh to have seen the real issues, understood the real impact, and to have made a better decision!
I am not one for regrets but I am really big on learning from what has happened in my life and in the lives of others. We are in this together! There are winners and losers but not between us. Everyone has an equal reason for winning because God passionately loves each equally.
The harsh reality is that much of the time I am not looking. I am not looking for others I am seeking my self. I am not aware of God without because I have already found the god within my self.
This isn’t new. Jesus response to those in the same dilemma was blunt. “The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice, you never saw his appearance. There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously.” (John 5.37, 38)
Today is a time of creating fresh memories. Today is a fresh opportunity!