Some words are so filled with sorrow that we hesitate even to use them. They bring painful thoughts or memories to mind that are not easily removed. When David, King of Israel, realized the consequences of his failure as a father—the death of his son, Absalom—his grief was almost unbearable. In spite of the military success of that day, “the victory was turned into mourning unto all the people,” and all that was left for David to say was,

“O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” 2 Samuel 18:33.

The sad word describing that tragic occasion is REGRET. When Edwin A. Robinson declared “Nothing is as futile as regret,” he punctuated the realization that regret seldom has solution. Regret means opportunities lost. Regret means possibilities unrealized. Regret means too late. Regret means remorse, lamentation, bitterness, heartache and repentance. To a parent, regret means time and circumstances wasted and never to be regained.

The only solution possible is to learn from the regrets of others. I would not bring about any resurgence of grief for any parent, but some of us, with regrets concerning our children, could serve a great purpose by instructing those with children presently at their knee. There are many in our gathering today whose children are still in the very formative stages of life, and the opportunity to mold their lives is still in the hands of their parents. I am hoping that these words will be motivation for all of us to use every occasion wisely, “redeeming the time,” Ephesians 5:15-16, teaching and nurturing our children.

Several years ago, a grieving parent offered the following thoughts that pierce our hearts, and alert us all to use our time wisely:

• If I had just realized how precious is the time we have when our children are young and pliable.
  
• If I had just been less concerned about other people’s children and more interested in my own.
  
• If I had just realized how much more valuable is time spent with my children than a few extra dollars in overtime pay.
  
• If I had only known how quickly those early years would vanish away and my children be grown.
  
• If I had just taught my children more about Abraham, Moses and Jesus than Socrates, Napoleon and Jackson.
  
• If I had only been more interested in teaching my children to play and to love than in improving my golf game.
  
• If I had just listened to my children more.
  
• Oh, If I had just never used those now-haunting words, “Come back later, I’m too busy now.”
  
• If I could just see them once more as little children, and could play one more game of hide-and-seek with them.
  
• If I had just put less emphasis on stains, rips, weeds, lawns and clutter, and more about self-respect and confidence.
  

There isn’t a parent anywhere that cannot sympathize with these regrets to some degree. Life travels so fast. The priorities of business and society seem so very important, and we are so shortsighted at times. We “major in minors” far too often. We forget that our children are our most valuable asset, and our most enduring joy.

If your children are still at home, why not take those actions that will erase regret from your vocabulary in later years. No investment of time and effort will be more rewarding, for today and for eternity.

Carl B. Garner