Erasing Regrets

So I posed a question to a friend who I know has been involved in some sordid activities during his teenage and college years -


"If you could go back and erase the things you did that you regret (your major sins) would you do it knowing that you would lose whatever wisdom and understanding you eventually learned from the experience?"

His response was it "That's a no brainer." Meaning if he could he would most certainly erase the drug use and the sleeping around.


Still I pressed him about the fact that he would lose all he had learned. He might not be able to understand as well people who are doing the same things (sex & drugs). He might know less how to help them. (Helping is his line of work.) To that he said, "God is sovereign." Meaning God would provide him with the wisdom and knowledge he needs to do the things he is called to do.

I still struggle with this idea and how I would answer the same question. If it was a generic regret I wanted to erase I know I would go back to October, 1994, to see my younger brother one last time before he died.


With these sin-based regrets though there is so much that we learn because of our actions that it makes me nervous to think about who I would be today if I had not done X, Y, and Z. Honestly, this is a question I have wrangled with for as long as I have had regrets and only till I had this conversation with my friend has the concept of "God is sovereign" been able to wear away at the nervousness I feel when I think of some of my experience, understanding and knowledge being removed.

But, I have decided I would take my chances and change the regrettable if I was given that chance. Its only by God's mercy and grace that we learn anything at all from our foolishness and sin. One can only expect that in God's sovereignty he would provide all the information or wisdom necessary for the things He wants us to accomplish as opposed to redeeming our messes, which were never His intent for us.

There is a sense of freedom in coming to this conclusion, in letting go of the hard lessons learned is the realization that I wasn't meant to learn those lessons. I was suppose to obey and never choose sin... even after its forgiven and history.

Hometown Pride

May 10th, my hometown's famous native came home again.

For years, my extended family has heard about the world renown oceanographer and frequent writer for the National Geographic, Dr. Sylvia Earle. She grew up in our town. Went to our public school. My grandpop's first hive of bees came from a swarm that started in the Earle's backyard!

She has been for many a supporting influence to enjoy, explore and respect the wonders of creation.

She was invited to come back home for the dedication of a new walking trail and observation cove named in her honor.


Where the hometown pride kicks in for me is not so much what Sylvia Earle has done (although remarkable!) but in what my cousin Lorraine did to make this dedication ceremony such a memorable event. She aimed to honor Sylvia for her accomplishments and her dedication to the creatures of the earth and the environment. But she did so much more...

Lorraine, Sylvia & boy scouts


What Lorraine really did was give a the gift of hometown pride. She helped create a sweet and special memory for the students, adults and I am sure to Sylvia as well. She rallied a town to work together. She involved students from both the public and Catholic schools. Students have been studying what Dr. Earle has studied and written books about. An art contest was held. Lorraine went to all the civic organizations and local companies to ask them, "How can you contribute to this effort?" They gave their time and their donations. She decided we needed to give Sylvia a special gift so Lorraine contacted the quilters of the town and we put together a quilt.


Finally, the day came, May 10th and Dr. Earle was here and grandpop and cousin Asa (a forester) escorted her to the podium. And as if planned in advance a flock of geese flew overhead. Several people saw the irony in that and let an utterance of amazement. The whole ceremony was excellent. The students sang "Under the Sea" and some danced and the mayor made "Proclamations" and the students were amazingly well behaved and engrossed.


And I was proud -proud of my town, proud of my cousin, proud to be one of the people that appreciates what God has created.