Do Better Now.....

The other day I was riding down the street and passed the place that used to be my nursing dorm and the hospital I worked at for almost 30 years. Sometimes change and progress is good, but sometimes it hurts to lose what was and won't ever be again....not like it was anyway. My heart ached a bit as memories flashed in my mind of so many experiences, people, and things that occurred during those years. I learned how to be a Nurse there, I met friends and colleagues and had so many shared experiences with so many wonderful people. We raised our kids together. We suffered tragedies and losses together, and also many joyous and wonderful things together at that place. My mind went to being a young wife and mom and how If I knew then, what I know now, how much better I would try to do life. Like everyone, I made mistakes and was immature and selfish at times and oh, the lessons I learned along the way. I found myself talking to God....just randomly and conversationally like I often do. I said how I know it isn't possible, but sometimes I wish I could go back and do life and those years over, so I could "do better" in all areas of life. I could work on being a better wife, healthier and less lazy about exercise, save money, spend less, stop to have fun more often with our girls, or be a better co-worker, ......just fill in the blank. Then, about as quickly as I said those things to God about wishing I had done better, I heard (not audibly but in a very distinct thought that I believe was God speaking) Hey Judy, DO BETTER NOW. It took me a minute to process that. And as I did, it came to me that I will never get those days back to 'do better' but the days I live now, I can 'do better'. The thought came that I can eat healthier now, I can exercise and take walks now, I can be kinder now, I can read my Bible more now, judge people less, I can pray more now.....I can do better, now. I absolutely was in awe of how God laid that on my heart. It is a simple, yet profound truth that every day I have now, I can DO BETTER if I let God help me. In our human strength and ability and selfish natures; we probably can't do life much better, but if we let God work in us, we can do better each day. If I surrender my all to God each day, hopefully, as I look back to this time in my life, I won't be saying, I wish I could go back and 'do better'.

Be encouraged today! With God's help, starting today, we can DO BETTER NOW. I am asking God to help me with one little step at a time to do better and be better. Anyone want to join me?

Until next time,

Judy