“I wish …”

• I had started earlier.
• I had listened better.
• I had read more.
• I had watched more closely.
• I had moved more slowly.
• I had learned more quickly.
• I had seen more clearly.
• I had trusted more fully.
• I had rejoiced more readily.
• I had wept more willingly.
• I had loved more openly.
• I had lived more heroically!

I suppose these all are frank expressions of regret—godly regret, I hope—but they aren’t declarations of defeat. I’m convicted by my failures, but not crushed. Rebuked by them, but not wrecked. Humbled, but not hopeless. Why? The Gospel!