Glancing at the shelf that holds my photo albums, I yielded to the desire to lose myself in their pages for a while, reliving the events reproduced on film down through the years. In one afternoon I was present at weddings, births, graduations, birthdays, baptisms; I went on picnics and vacations. Once again, my face burrowed into the irresistible softness of soft, chubby legs, and satiny-smooth necklines edged in dustings of talcum fresh from the bath. Feelings captured on film those many years ago were once more revived and relived.

Lost in the musings down memory lane, I found myself asking “What if?” What if I hadn’t made that decision? What if I had been more mature? What if I had chosen a different pathway? What if I had made more of an effort?

There are times I wish I had my life to live over again with the maturity of my years and experience. Sometimes I hear the clock ticking down the hours before my life is over and I will be incapable of making any more decisions. I candidly confess that I suffer from a potentially terminal disease called procrastination. It’s a stressful way to live, but now I have come to the realization that the time will come when there will no longer be a later.

I’ve had some rich experiences that have enhanced my outlook on life. I’ve lived fully in the love of family and a few good friends, and I’ve had hobbies and interests that have broadened my practical experience. That is what comprises a life.

But do we live it to the fullest extent that God intended? Why did God place us here, at this time, and for what benefit? He has given us something to share, to accomplish, something only we can do for Him. He has put a burden in the heart of each of His children. Have you dug through the layers of this self-centered, complacent, unfocused, aimless meander through life? I know I have some digging to do. Thoughts of sharing God’s love in practical terms, generous and supportive acts of kindness, sharing the abilities God has blessed you with, without action is completely meaningless. Unless good thoughts are put into action, they have no merit. Not with God, nor with human beings.

May I suggest we take that bit of talent we have, and, with God’s blessing, turn it into something unexpected and generous toward others, which will, in turn, make our lives more abundant and joyous.

I have a precious friend whom I rarely have the privilege of visiting. But a few years ago, in a rare moment of deep confidence, she shared with me the deepest regret of her life: a wrong choice innocently made. No one could imagine the sorrow it caused her through the years. Her attitude was one of forgiveness and acceptance. She acknowledged that her relationship with God enabled her to accept this “thorn in her side.” I have loved and respected her through the years. There is a visible aura of kindness about her. God has used her as a source of encouragement and support.

When we make a “wrong turn,” what helps us most, harsh criticism or encouragement from friends? My friend is a fine example of a positive influence. That is something all of us need at one time or another— a nonjudgmental friend. You could be that person, you could be that one God places in another’s life to encourage and support. What a gift to one floundering in self-doubt and despair.

Too often life’s struggles overcome our human weakness and we give in to feelings of despair. But, as my friend revealed, it is God in a life that enables one to bear with love our greatest burdens. It’s our antidote for a successful journey through this land mine of sin. A hand clasped firmly in the hand of Jesus, who promises never to let go. Could you be one of those hands for Jesus?