The Empty Chair by B J Bassett #Devotional

 

The Empty Chair

In the end I’m abolishing regret, banishing sorrow . . . Hosea 13:15 MSG

Today I sat in my red recliner, spending time with my Lord. After reading the Scriptures, I wrote a prayer in my journal like I do every day. Then I looked over at the empty chair and remembered the painful, pleading expression on my husband’s face just days before that said, help me.

He was struggling to breathe, and I could do nothing. The treatments no longer helped. He not only suffered from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Parkinson’s had raped his body, leaving a frail shell behind. Gone was the man I’d married 60 years before. Tears clouded my vision. Could I have done more for him? 

What are you questioning today? Are you feeling guilty about something? Do you have regrets that plague you? Are there mistakes you regret?

Seek God’s pardon. Repent. Or, when we cannot change the past, we need to release our concern to our heavenly Father and move forward.

Father, I repent of my known and unknown sins. There is nothing I can do to change the past. Help me move forward, I pray. Amen. 

Reprinted from

The King’s Daughters

By B J Bassett

 

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

 

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

 

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

 

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

 

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.