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Monday Motivation | July 14, 2025

I Have No Regrets

Discovering the peace that comes from showing up faithfully.

“I do.”

57 years ago, Mom spoke those words while holding Dad’s hands.

At age 21, she had no idea what those words would truly require. Looking into his eyes, she could not have known the epic journey her life was about to become. She wasn’t thinking about mortgages or retirement or the countless challenges and unexpected blessings ahead. Instead, she was simply in love with her fiancé and likely thinking as far ahead as the reception that evening, the honeymoon the following day and some vague notion of building a life together.

Mom didn’t yet know she’d welcome six children into the world. She didn’t know there would be a tragic fire, that a son would be severely burned, that life would get overwhelmingly difficult. She could not have foreseen the complexities of raising a family- colicky babies, arduous early years, or teenage emotions.

She didn’t yet know that after finally launching their six children out of the house, she and Dad would endure a second, even more damaging fire, devastating the house.

She also didn’t know her extraordinary husband would be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, lose his job, and slowly, agonizingly fade away. She didn’t know that after spending years changing her children’s diapers, she’d spend Dad’s final years changing his.

But still, she said, “I do.”

Mom and Dad built a remarkable life together. One filled with ordinary moments, agonizing trials, extraordinary love and undying commitment. The kind of love no 21-year-old could have fully comprehended when she made her vows.

I thought of their commitment to one another last week as I was seated across from her at breakfast. It was their 57th wedding anniversary. And her first without him.

I expected our time together to be a bit downtrodden, quiet, sad. After all, how do you celebrate the thing you built your life around when the person you built it with is no longer there?

But as we sipped a mimosa (Hey, it was their anniversary and I wasn’t going to have Mom celebrate by herself!), it was surprising that Mom wasn’t sad, wasn’t morose, wasn’t bitter.

She was at peace.

I asked her why.

She looked at me, smiled gently, and said:

“John, I have no regrets. He was there for me in everything when he could be. I was there for him in everything I could have been. And now he rests peacefully in heaven.”

This incredible woman, 57 years after promising forever to her boyfriend, is at peace not because life was easy or everything went perfectly to plan. She is at peace because they faithfully kept showing up for each other and for their family, in the good times and the bad, for a lifetime. When Dad passed away a month ago, Mom was there, holding his hands, not just saying the words, but living them: I still do.

And maybe that’s the goal, not just in marriage, but in life. To live, lead, serve, and love with such faithfulness that when the final chapter closes, we can look back without bitterness or shame, and simply whisper:

I have no regrets.

This is your day. Live Inspired.

 

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38 replies on “I Have No Regrets”

Power message. Thanks for sharing. The “I Do” is fort good times and bad times. Something we missing the bad times and do not stay committed . I DFo is for ever. Thanks for the reminder. You are inspirational

John, nicely stated! What a great generation our parents came from and the words your parents said to each other 57 years ago “I Do” actually meant for a lifetime! CONGRATS to them for being faithful and standing by each other’s side in both the good and bad times.

Oh my WORD! Could this get any sweeter and more touching?? As the tears run down my face, it’s an absolute unequivocal NO. Thanks for sharing your adorable mom with us John. She deserves attention and praise but she’s so peace filled I’m pretty sure she doesn’t need it.

What a beautiful reminder of what those vows mean. Next month my wife and I celebrate our 31st anniversary. 4 months ago, we had one daughter say, “I Do” and this past weekend our second daughter said, “I Do”, starting their lives together with their husbands. Hopefully there is much more happiness than struggles but being together through them all is what makes the journey possible. God Bless you and your family John.

John,
Of all your messages – besides your own personal one – this is my favorite! I know what an incredible impact your mom has had since the fire and this cements what an incredible woman she is. May God bless her and your whole family.
Kevin

Those 4 words – “I have no regrets” – are beyond powerful in their meaning and simplicity. Thanks to you and your family for continuing to inspire us all.

John-I am sorry I didn’t offer my condolences when I saw you at the Crossing. I know your dad was a warrior…and so is your wonderful mama. Thinking of you and yours with love and prayers. 🩵

Thank you John. Bless your mom and dad who is now in heaven.
Your inspirational messages always tug at my heartstrings and bring a tear to my eyes.
God Bless

Your dear parents are a shining example of Christ’s love in action, faithfulness, shared humor and generous caring. Mom
Is blessed in her faith and her family.

Excellent! My husband passed last year/2024, we met in 1st grade, went thru elementary, high school and college together. Though our story isn’t exactly like your parents, there are so many similarities. The last two paragraphs say it so well.
We were married 62 years, and I too have no regrets.

John this is so beautifully written and after 45 years and a like of challenges and Love I can also say I have no regrets in how I honored my husband and cared/ loved him. Saying goodbye was not easy but everyday since the 27 of feb 2025 when my husband took his last breath my heart has been at peace. Thank you for your tribute to your parents love.

Your mom has always shown grace in life’s joy and challenges. Sharing her journey has allowed me to be inspired by her faith and strength, the one making the other possible. Thank you both for deepening my appreciation of family!!

Wow, just WOW! Thank you for sharing the reality of people who think and live this way amid a disposable world with shards of broken promises. Oh the comfort of a memory mimosa with your Mom! They passed on this goodness to you and you share it, so we are all lifted a bit higher, too. I pray for the longevity of this kind of comfort for your entire family as you process the absence of your Dad.

John, your message brings me to tears as I remember my mom and dad’s eternal love. My mom was buried on their 65th wedding anniversary and with short term memory loss, he could not remember she passed. So rather than relive the loss everyday, we made excuses for her absence. He passed during CVOID to be reunited with the love of his life. Your parents remind me of this kind of love ❤️

Love this! I heard you speak at our church, The Crossing, read your book instantly and can’t wait to see the movie. Now I’m excited to get your Motivational Mondays. Blessings to your sweet mom!

You and your mom are very inspiring! I can see why and how you have this wonderful life helping people, with your stories, kind words and just there encouraging people to live their best life. Look forward and not back, learn from your mistakes and make things better and make things happen. I am so glad I signed up for your newsletters and podcasts!

That is utterly beautiful John. Your mom looks amazing and you captured their marriage and commitment to one another and to your entire family so succinctly in your words. This is also the first year without my dad and their 68th anniversary is coming up in September. I look forward to being there with my mom and am grateful that I still have her with me. God bless you and your family and thanks for inspiring me to keep showing up.

Happy Anniversary to your mom and dad. What a great message. Thank you for continuing to inspire me. You were our speaker at our Arbonne conference one year and it was so amazing. The surprise piano recital was unforgettable.

Beautiful words about your loving parents. I shared with you at conference that my father also had Parkinsons, unfortunately he also had Alzheimers. They were married 58 years when Dad passed and went to heaven. Also, no regrets!

Thank you for sharing this time you spent with your sweet Mom. She sounds like a remarkable woman! Wishing you both peaceful happiness now & always.

Thank you, John for sharing this. I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your father and your mother‘s dear husband.

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