No Regrets (By Pam Scott)

NO REGRETS! Say the things you need to say, and do the things you need to do. Live your life without regrets.
    
I was reminded of this just last week as my dad passed from this earth and into his heavenly home. I’ve always felt the importance of using our words and actions throughout our life to show and tell a person how much they mean to us, and that they are loved. 
    
As his wife and six kids (including spouses) were on the way to the hospital to be with him as the Lord was calling him home, my dad had to be revived. And what if we didn’t have those last few hours with him? Would he have known how we all felt?
    
I can say without a doubt that my dad knew how much he was loved by his family, because we told him so throughout our lives. But beyond that, he knew from our actions: those drop-in visits, vacations together, family gatherings around the holidays, a day of fishing, grandkids just showing up to help, special memory books of events, or just an awesome picture book of things dear to his heart.
    
We’ve celebrated various milestones in my parents’ lives in some very unique ways, like their 25th, 40th, 50th and 70th wedding anniversaries. We also recently celebrated my dad’s 90th birthday. Just being together around food, Facetiming with college students, celebrating with graduates, attending ball games, walks on the beach or in the park, an impromptu game night, a visit from a family dog (and people, of course), or just sitting around chatting and recalling stories from the past, the time together spelled out “I love you.” And believe me, we could tell you stories that could go on and on.
    
But my encouragement and reminder to all of us is to live a life without regrets. How much do we take the time to tell someone we love them, appreciate them, and so glad they are our friend? Do we take the time to show others how we care?
    
Galatians 6:10 says, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”  
    

We are never promised tomorrow, so let’s do the things that really matter today (James 4:14). We can make a difference in this world by reaching out to others today. You won’t regret it.