One night in a bus, years ago, I was tossing and turning until it finally dawned upon me that God was trying to wake me up to talk to me. I stumbled up front, propped myself on the couch and still dragging and sleepy I asked, "OK, God, here I am. What do you want me to do-pray? For whom or for what?"

The Lord began to speak, "Gloria, I want you to write a tribute to your father and put it in your hometown paper by June 21."

I was still half asleep. Again, the Lord repeated the same words. Finally I said, "Well, why? For what reason?"

"Gloria, when you were 15 years old, your dad said something to you one night that really hurt you and has left a scar in your relationship. I want you to forgive him. Write a tribute telling your father how much you appreciate him. Let him know you haven't been a perfect daughter, but that you love him. This will release forgiveness and patch up the little crack in your relationship with him."

I was so tired, I said, "OK, Lord, I'll do it another time…"

The Lord said, "NOW!"

I argued, "Why now, Lord? I want to sleep. It's so quiet and the bus is still; I want to sleep!"

The Lord again commanded, "NOW! What's My blessing worth in your life?" So, I took my pen and paper, wrote from my heart a loving tribute and sent it to the Sisseton Courier. It appeared in the weekly newspaper the week of Father's Day. I then realized why God had given me that special date. As soon as I sent the letter, I felt a renewed love for my dad, more than I ever had before.

A week after my article was in the newspaper Larry and I were eating at a local restaurant. When we got up to the cashier, the waitress greeted us, hesitated and placed the food ticket down on the counter. With tear-filled eyes she struggled, "Gloria, I read your article about you and your father. It really touched me. My father and I had a falling out a couple of years ago, and I pulled away from him. I wanted to go back and make things right and apologize, but my pride kept me from doing it. Then, two weeks ago, he died unexpectedly of a heart attack. He was only in his mid 50's. I guess I thought that he would live forever and I would have lots of time to make it right. I was so wrong!" Tearfully she confessed, "I'll have to live with this regret for the rest of my life. I wish your article had been in the Courier two weeks earlier." I quietly encouraged her and said a soft, quiet prayer for her right there before we left.

Life is too short to live with regrets of past hurts and words left unspoken. By choosing to not forgive, we are the ones who live on "Bitterness Boulevard". Anger will soon steal our joy, peace and purpose in life. I know; I was there!

George Herbert, a seventeenth century English poet wrote, "He that cannot forgive others, breaks or burns the bridge over which he himself must pass over if he would ever reach heaven." Satan delights in damaging family relationships. Mark 3:25 states, "If a house be divided against itself it cannot stand." In other words, it's doomed.

Can I encourage and challenge you today? If there is division or unforgiveness in your family or relations, please go make it right. LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO LIVE IN REGRET! Write a note, make a phone call, send an email-whatever you feel is best, but do it…NOW! Like me, you will once again be set free to experience the fullness of joy and peace in your life which the Lord intends for you to have.

- Gloria