How To Live Without Regret

by | Aug 26, 2012 | Uncategorized

While chicken simmers in Thai sauce on the stove, I glance at the magnets holding past events on the side of the refrigerator. Winnie the Pooh holds my infant daughter, flushed cheeks, arms raised overhead, pacifier plugged. The longer I look at her sprawled out on the aqua striped beach towel, I can almost hear the waves rock her to sleep. The same waves we now call home.

After dinner, she stretches end to end on the couch, stats book over her lap and those carefree days of childhood seem a distant shadow.

And sometimes in the midst of making dinner, deciding on new paint color, and picking out school supplies, He shows you the gift of breath on the side of your refrigerator.

As we enter Sabbath may our head be turned toward those things that make life sweet. Savor moments like a piece of butterscotch on your tongue while they remain yours.

Happy Sunday Friends!

And linking with Fresh Brewed Sundays, Scripture & Snapshot

 

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29 Comments

  1. Dea

    My butterscotch is a day old grandbaby. I plan on being up with all night savoring every moment.

    • Redemption's Beauty

      Oh, what joy. I just can’t even imagine how that feels. Must be indescribable. Congratulations Dea, so excited for you.

  2. Sandra Heska King

    Congratulations, Dea!

    And Shelly, I think I want to hold my breath for awhile.

  3. I love moments like these… “He shows you the gift of breath on the side of your refrigerator.” Yes, living fully in this gift of life He has given, the moment He has given it.

    Blessings to you beautiful friend.

  4. Joan

    Beautiful words (and photo). Blessings to you and your family this lovely Sabbath.

  5. Megan Willome

    I’m so weird-I love verses like that one.

    • Redemption's Beauty

      I guess I’m weird too. I don’t actually see as negative, just an inspiration to live well while you have breath.

  6. Children grow up way to fast. Even though I savoured every single minute of their existence, I find myself longing for the days when they were still so very dependant on me. Our life is but a breath…

    • Redemption's Beauty

      I know what you mean but I do and I don’t. I really like that they can do things for themselves but I miss the days when they curled up in my lap for a cuddle. That just isn’t cool now.

  7. Lynn Morrissey

    Shelly, I thought I would post here today, in case your readers are just staying current with your daily post. First, thank you for your kind words yesterday to me, personally, and for your prayers. I am so very grateful! Second, you asked about poet Luci Shaw, and I thought I would post on your blog (rather than just to you), because she is such a gifted author. Luci Shaw is one of *the* foremost contemporary Christian poets who does not write sacchinine, sing-songy poetry. She’s in her 70s, I believe, and was born in England. Here is her website: http://www.lucishaw.com/ I have read much of her work and especially loved Horizons, which is unusual in that it is illustrated in colorful, imaginitvie calligraphy by Timothy Botts and also, because she tells you in prose, what she means by each poem. I also loved Listen to the Green, Polishing the Petoskey Stone, Writing the River, The Angles of Light, and the Green Earth (and other poetry I’ve read by her in other collections). Because I’m a journaling aficionado, I also loved her book on journaling called LifePath and her memoir about her husband’s death called God in the Dark, which is her own journal about that difficult time. She cowrote at least 2 books w/ her lifelong friend, Madeleine L’Engle (now deceased) called Winter Song (a wonderful book of Christmas readings) and Friends for the Journey. Ms. Shaw has also written books on creativity. She is primarily, however, a poet. I have found her to be a gracious and kind author and person. Shelly, you and your readers will love her, and I”m glad that I can introduce her work to a younger generation. Enjoy!!!

    • Redemption's Beauty

      Thanks so much for all this on Luci. I’ve already had some clicks on the link you left. Actually, there are many my age and younger who note her work regularly, I just haven’t had my hands on any of her writing yet. Can’t wait.

  8. Lynn Morrissey

    Oh and I forgot to mention, Shelly, that Ms. Shaw is a brilliant photographer (which you would greatly appreciate), and she also knits-both skills for which I have not one ounce of talent, but real appreciation!

  9. Kristen

    So simple, so true, so beautifully written!

  10. I love these quiet moments, when he reveals simple, yet profound truth in the mundane moments fo the every day…. praying peace and deep joy settle over your soul this week, my friend.

    • Redemption's Beauty

      Thanks for praying Kris. We had a fun distraction painting our family room. It’s a good stress reliever for all of us to think about things that aren’t so heavy.

  11. Christina

    So true! Savor the sweet taste of the moment. Thanks for this gift of reminder!

  12. Tra

    I just LOVE the way you write!

  13. like a piece of butterscotch on my tongue, the yumminess of this post
    fills my senses and trickles down slow to nourish my spirit’s sweet tooth
    and i thank you for the gentle stir,
    Jennifer

    • Redemption's Beauty

      Love your comments Jennifer, they make me smile. What a gift you have girl.

  14. Barbie

    Butterscotch on my tongue! Thank you for helping to wake up my senses today. Your words are so beautiful woven here today.

    • Redemption's Beauty

      Thanks Barbie, appreciate you. I am so behind on visiting blogs but I enjoyed your Sunday post, always find solace at your place.

  15. Sherrey Meyer

    Oh, you had to mention my favorite of flavors, after chocolate that is — butterscotch! I can sense its melting lusciousness slide over my tongue and down my throat. Stop it! What a lovely post and beautiful imagery shared with us. Thanks for being a gift of His to the readers who stop by here.

    • Redemption's Beauty

      You know what’s funny, I haven’t had a butterscotch in years but it came to me while I was praying about this post and it was like I could taste it again.

  16. Sharon O

    It should be a prayer for all of us, to live with no regrets, yet so often we have a pain in our heart for something that needs to be done, or said or written or read. May we pursue all that we need so we can live here and leave here in a more peaceful way.

    • Redemption's Beauty

      Paying attention to the details in the small every day, its what helps me to look back without regret.

    • Redemption's Beauty

      Jennifer, thanks for the FB follow. Nice to visit with you. Love your pear photo.

  17. Joanne Norton

    Neat thinking as usual, Shelley. And, yes, life suddenly emerges… “the gift of breath on the side of your refrigerator”.

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