The ship that sailed: Coulda-Shoulda-Woulda

“A man sits on the dock with head in hands, wailing for the ships that have sailed—as he is missing the ship that is sailing.”

So begins the poignant column by World Magazine’s Andree Seu.

“This is a story of my life, of living in regret over past losses, even as I am losing the present moment’s possibilities,” she continues.

This set off a chain of emotions, of memories, of regrets. Relationships that I have let slip away. Decisions I haven’t made. Ships I haven’t boarded. And I would guess that there may be ships you have missed too.

The ports of these ship’s departures are at home, with my friends, and with my coworkers. I have been afraid, ashamed or too weak to do what I needed to do and have paid the price.

It’s easy — maybe even lazy — to dwell on those missed opportunities. I say lazy because there is no better excuse than “coulda-shoulda-woulda”

As Seu says, Satan loves this line of logic because it leads to next inevitablity: “I have sinned so badly that I have no right to joy again.”

The story of Jesus is for people who have missed the boat. It’s a story for those who are sitting at the dock. It’s a story for those who have failed.

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:14

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