If you’re at all like me, there have been times in your life when you’ve struggled with regrets. Times where the torment of your “if only’s” robbed you of peace and squelched your joy. I’ve certainly felt the misery these two words can inflict.
After all, what kind of a mom is absently baking a pie while her son is facing his final days on earth? How in the world could I be sleeping in bed while my son is taking his final breaths? Why wasn’t I aware that he was deathly sick? (We had seen him extremely sick many times before. ) Oh, how deeply I regret that I wasn’t holding my precious son in my arms when he took his final breath, and I would give anything to be there to comfort and walk through the valley of the shadow of death with my Austin. Was he scared? Did he have pain that I could have relieved? Of all the times I should’ve been there for my son, it was then. But I wasn’t. I was asleep.
The thought of this reality hurts deeply.
If only I hadn’t returned to sleeping after he was out of bed to use the restroom. If only we would’ve been aware the CMV (virus) he received from his donor heart had completely destroyed his white blood count. What if we would’ve just taken him to the hospital rather than being in touch with his transplant cardiologist over the phone?

If only….
If only…
Did you know these two little words have the potential to sap every drop of peace and joy from our lives? “If only” are the two most crippling words in our vocabulary. “If only” keeps us chained to our pasts while robbing us of the future. “What ifs” enslave us with regrets that darken our otherwise blissful moments.
If you are prone to toxic thinking, you’ve likely also struggled with these two potentially dangerous words.
If only…I wouldn’t have let them down.
If only… I would’ve tried harder.
If only… I was a stronger, better person.
If only… I had made the other choice.
If only… I wouldn’t keep messing up.
If only… I had been more aware.
If only… I could have another chance.
Many times, we are prone to be harder on ourselves than others. Why? I believe our enemy, the accuser, knows if he can cause us to believe toxic lies about ourselves, we begin to live out those lies. When we live with regret, we live with condemnation. Living with condemnation makes us feel like a failure, and when we feel like a failure, we will act like a failure.
My husband and I are currently writing a book entitled “From Pain to Purpose”, and we are devoting a section of the book to speak to this exact issue. While I can’t possibly go into depth about this in just one blog, I just want you to know that the self-condemnation of regret is the enemy. It has never benefitted anything or anyone. If you see that your regrets aren’t being advantageous to your situation or to a loved one, choose to release them to God. Instead of beating yourself up about what you should’ve done differently, choose to forgive yourself. Don’t stay a prisoner to regret, allowing the flood of negative thoughts and emotions to overtake you. Remember, your extreme regret proves how deeply you care.

Yes, I was baking a pie during my son’s final days, but it was his favorite—a healthy version of peanut butter pie. I wanted to make a special treat that accommodated the dietary restrictions he and his sister had. God has also helped me to realize I wasn’t the horrible, neglectful mom I viewed myself to be because of sleeping while my son was dying. My husband had offered to sleep on the floor beside our son’s bunk, in case he needed something during the night.
I remember feeling exhausted as I wearily climbed into our bed with my busy 2-year-old and our 5-month-old baby. Little did I know that a few hours later, my life would forever be changed.
The past eight years have been a journey for me since the death of my son. But one of the best ways I’ve found healing from my regrets is to more fully grasp the incredible love the Father has for me. No, He isn’t blind to my faults as a human being. But He does see the heart of love I have for each of my children. His heart is pleased that I would, in a heartbeat, give my life for each of them. Father God delights in me. And the same is true for you. Your heavenly Father says that you are enough. You are precious in His sight. Imperfections and all.
It is nearly impossible to move beyond our regrets until we grasp the infinite love and forgiveness of God. Are you recognizing the many ways God is delighting and loving you today?
~Cindy (For The Mullett Family)
6 Comments
Twila Beachy
Posted at 21:23h, 30 MayThank you , Cindy for these encouraging words!!! I have struggled with so many “if only’s ” in the past several months. One of our boys needed to go to a boys ranch in Missouri for extra help. The raw truth is we couldn’t handle him at home, he was so rebellious. Since he’s been there the Lord has done an unbelievable change in his heart & life!!!! And we are so grateful to the Father!!!! But I have day & moments when I’m like, If only. If only I wouldn’t have been so focused on our autistic boys & spent more time with him. If only I wouldn’t have had some really deep issues I was working through when he was little. If only I would’ve worked through those earlier, etc. But in spite of all this, we have seen God working in ways far beyond our wildest dreams in our son!!! I do have my times where life is an emotional rollercoaster right now, & my feelings are so mixed, one time its joy unspeakable, the next it’s pain , raw & intense from missing him so much! We have gotten to see him a few times though. But it’s my heart cry to abide right next to the Father’s heart. God has been very gracious & gentle in His dealings with me! And since He has forgiven me, I can forgive myself! It helps to praise God & sing & praise Him, because He alone is worthy!!!!!
Thanks so much for your encouraging words; I always enjoy reading your blogs, Cindy! May God bless you & hold you close to His heart is my prayer for you!!! Love, Twila Beachy
Mary Schlabach
Posted at 21:54h, 30 MayAww Cindy, my heart broke for reading you again just reading your blog! So touched that in the midst of your suffering you are able to have grace for yourself and see you as God sees you! We just love your family and look to you as wonderful role model parents. Thank you for allowing God to use you! Would love to have a long chat with you sometime again on some of the topics that will likely be in your new book..can’t wait! We on the way home from our first TTD homeschool conference and we have fresh mood again!? Much love, Mary Schlabach
Mary
Posted at 10:42h, 31 MayThat was such a timely read for me this morning. I didn’t realize how crippling that phrase was. Thank you!
Bertha Sauder Metzler
Posted at 12:06h, 31 MayThanks for sharing these very helpful truths about “us” and “our God” Life has its challenges and thankfully we have a Heavenly Father to help us in these difficult times.
I have two nieces and they married Kraybill brothers. The father of these brothers, Gerald Kraybill died last week….there are 12 children in the family and 57 g-children. Gerald was 65 and died of a brain tumor.
I also have a blog friend Gina Martin from MD and her husband Ed age 42 died of a brain tumor after 2 years. My heart breaks for these families. Not sure if you know them or not.
My hubby just had his yearly cancer check up and PTL he got a good report…..He is still with us after having esophageal cancer in 2008. We are grateful yet we hurt for people who don’t get the positive answers to prayer as they desire.
Blessings as you continue to write and encourage all of us 🙂
Notice the change of our e-mail address.
Marj
Posted at 10:14h, 03 JuneThanks, Cindy, for being so honest, & also for explaining so thoroughly what those words do to us! In the past 6 months, I have thought so often, “If only…”. I feel that God has told me I need to forget the things that are behind, but that has been difficult. Thanks for your encouragement! Those 2 words deplete my energy, leaving me unmotivated & depressed. God’s love lifts me up above the shadows, lights my way & so on. Truly, walking in His love is heavenly sunshine! God Bless, Marj
Duane & Cindy
Posted at 20:12h, 24 JuneGod bless you, Marj, as you continue listening to the voice of your Father and pressing towards the mark before you.