JAILHOUSE REGRETS

I asked, the young man in white “T” shirt, black short pants, and a pair of woolen socks pulled up to his knees. "James why are you here?" .  Jim replied, "Well, chaplain, I needed money for drugs. I robbed a house. I was arrested. I had a gun. My sentence is 12 to 15 years. My family has abandoned me. I am alone. My life is a mess. You know what I mean?” . I said, " James I can only imagine the disappointment in yourself and your feeling of failure. What I do know is that you are at the beginning of a long journey of doubt, struggle, and despair.” . Jim, his eyes filled with tears as he asked, ”Deacon robert, I am lost ... will you help me?" . A recent note from James reflects a deep desire to reform his life: ' ...No matter how much I have changed these past 5 years, I still pay the price for the things that I have done. I have a lot more work to do and it may take the rest of my life to make amends and ask forgiveness of those I love and those who loved me back…’ . James’, personal failure turned into discouragement, became anger and was followed by despair, ending in disappointment, remorse, and regret. . Only The Good Things, deacon robert r. lackney, 4th Day Journal/ April 2012 . PS: The saints teach if we live long enough we will have regrets. And, the regrets that nag at you the most are: … The ones you knew you had a choice. … The ones where you knew you could have stopped yourself. … The ones when you look into the mirror and everything that is good inside of you said, “Don’t do this!” James taught me that there is: … No greater sorrow than regret. … No greater power than love. And, … No greater gift than forgiveness.