The day my sister died, she had been texting me about some difficulty she was having breathing due to fluid in her lungs. She was wondering whether to go to the hospital. I texted her that the hospital would probably hook her up to a ventilator, but they wouldn’t be able to do anything about her cancer. Did she want to be stuck in a hospital?

I regret that text.

But I can’t go back in time and advise her to go to the hospital, to eke out some more time.

I’ve had many moments in my life that I wish I could do over and do better, or at least do differently. I bet most of us have.

When I said or did the wrong thing and hurt someone else or just looked like an insensitive dolt, I wanted to go back in time and say something else, or better yet, say nothing.

“Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out,” (Acts‬ ‭3‬:‭19,‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

God is so gracious that He does let me turn back time on my sin. Every time I screw up, He gives me another chance to do better, if I ask for it. A clean slate. A fresh start. I just wish I didn’t need so many fresh starts.

Dear God,

Thank you so much for your generous forgiveness and your patience with me. I’m sorry I sin so often. I want to do better. Teach me your ways so I can be better and better until one day, when you return, I will be made perfect like you with no more need to turn back.