During the lunchtime discussion on life, decisions, and their consequences, a friend shared an insight he had received from his brother: "You can't unscramble scrambled eggs." We all acknowledged the truthfulness of the statement with nods of affirmation. Then, the comment was made that we spend a lot of time trying to unscramble the scrambled.

Businessmen and businesswomen spend countless dollars and work-hours trying to repair the damage that was done by a careless comment or an oversight in customer service. Apologies can be offered. Promises can be made. But what was done is done. It can't be undone.

Couples say things to one another and then live with the regret of what they said. He apologizes. She accepts. Unfortunately, however, the words have wounded her heart. She lashes out in anger and immediately realizes that she has hurt him. She tries to take it back, but the damage is done.

Parents do things to their children, or for their children, and live to wish they could take it back. For the rest of his life, he will hear those words ringing in his ears. As long as she lives, she will bear the scars of the angry outburst.

God reminds us, "A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul." (Proverbs 18:7)

You can turn your life over to God and let Him do what only He can do
Church people make decisions then later wish they could undo what has been done. People are hurt. People leave. Souls are damaged. Innocent seekers are confused and discouraged. In retrospect, leaders say things like, "If we could do that over again I would ..." but they can't.

We can't unscramble scrambled eggs.

You were in a hurry and knew you were pushing the speed limit beyond the limits. Just as you thought you better slow down, you top the hill and there the trooper sits with his radar aimed right at you. You see his blue lights. You've been caught. Too late.

When you were a teenager you did things you wish you could forget and wipe from your memory. But, you can't. You can't unscramble the mess you have made.

In a careless moment you gave in to the temptation. You never meant to. But, you did. You can't undo what has been done.

You can't unscramble scrambled eggs.

So, what can you do?

I'll let Paul say it.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14)

You can't unscramble scrambled eggs. But, you can turn your life over to God and let Him do what only He can do. You can do what you can do to make amends, but sooner or later, you have to let the eggs stay scrambled, and move on with a trust that he can heal what you cannot heal and he can mend what you can't fix, and can comfort what you can't make right. Let Him deal with the scrambled eggs in your life ... and ask him to help you use your words, your actions, and your influence to bless others in the future.