About the Author

Mary is a writer and speaker who lives for good books, spicy queso, and television marathons – but lives because of God’s grace. She writes about giving up on perfect and finding truth in unexpected places at MaryCarver.com. Mary and her husband live in Kansas City with their two daughters.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
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  1. Mary,
    I take great delight in knowing that all my days have been already written in the book of Life by a Sovereign God. It’s a “made for me” adventure story and I get to play a key character. So long as the leading character is God, I know it’s going to be the best adventure possible. Even when things go awry for me, God, with his mercy and forgiveness steps in and gives my character new life. What an awesome author our God is!! Thanks for a wonderful post!
    Blessings,
    Bev

    • Yes! I love the lyric in Mighty to Save that talks about God being the forever author of salvation. I’m so thankful that HE is writing my story, and it’s not actually in my hands at all.

  2. There have been sooo many times I have wondered if I have gotten it wrong, but in my heart I know I am intentionally seeking and following God and even through my mistakes, He is directing my paths. As long as my life is yielded to Him, I am going the right direction, the twists and turns are all part of it. And the adventure continues…

  3. Great post… πŸ™‚ Letting go of the ‘what ifs’ and learning to ask God ‘whats next’? Just the thought of starting out fresh each morning… just that one thing proves to me that God is awesome πŸ™‚

    Thank you!!
    Love,
    Patty

    • Oh, I love the way you said that – moving from “what if” to “what’s next.” That’s one we all need to remember from time to time!

  4. I collect sayings and quotes. A favorite goes something like this: You can’t go back and recreate the beginning, but you can move forward and create a new ending. So go from where you are. The past always tells us the same old junk anyway. Nothing new there! Just go with an open heart and go with God it will all be worthwhile. To know “why” usually doesn’t change a thing.

    Peg

  5. Oh Mary! A few weeks ago I celebrated a high school reunion and reconnected with friends I hadn’t seen in ages. Tpday I am having lunch with a best friend that I had lost contact with. My life has also been full of unpredicted twists and turns but God is the constant. He is always there, always loving, always protecting. Thanks for your insights!

    • Enjoy reconnecting with your friends, Tammy! It seems like, sometimes, those reunions make it even more clear why God’s story was better than what we’d dreamed of anyway!

  6. I just let it roll on and on and on. Something’s I wish I never did cos they cost me a lot of pain and hurt. Some things I regret I never did cos I was doing something that caused a lot of hurt and pain. But in general, what can we do. We make choices at that time and well, every thing costs. Look at JESUS, it cost HIM HIS life on the cross. So, try to make good choices. And if I get it wrong, well, so what. I’ll learn the next time not to do it again.

  7. A very insightful and encouraging post. I do agree with all that you had to say and believe that the “what ifs” are counterproductive and God wants us to be productive.

    I do believe that if we allow God’s Holy word to direct our paths and embrace the fruit of the spirit that we can avoid alot (not all) pain and hurt. God shall always be our guide, if we allow him.

    Thanks for reminding us.

  8. Loved this today, especially since I feel the Lord prompting me to let go of my past hurts and disappointments. I see a “new” adventure on the horizon! Amen!

  9. Great post! Good word at the end that God DOES have good plans for us, even though we’d love to flip back through those Choose your own adventure books for our lives. Yeah, those books were great.. ; ). I’m writing for 31 days on finding adventures in creativity. Loove all the adventure references everywhere!

  10. Once again I am reminded that my sins have been forgotten and thrown as far as the east is from the west. This is just one big huge reason why my heart just wants to sing and dance in thankfulness to my saviour. All glory to the Jesus for being the author of my life.

  11. I love this little reminder. I had a day today and all I could think was my story was already written and knowing that was encouraging! It showed me that I just needed to say Thank you Lord for showing up in my day. I love him soo sooo much. Thank you for your words!

  12. Insightful post!

    I have often cried and fretted about my past mistakes. Wanting to go back and have a re-do. The good thing is that with prayer about my current situation He answers loud and clear–this is the path I want you on for now.

    With the many twists and turns in life it is amazing to see where I’ve ended up and what I’m doing with my life right now. Never envisioned all this greatness from Him. Can’t wait to live out the rest of the story!

  13. Thank you so much for this post! Since my daughter’s biological father passed away in February I have spent so much time asking these same questions. I’m so glad to know I’m not alone but also to receive some encouragement in this circumstance.

    Thank you!

  14. Mary, I haven’t been on your blog lately and was pleased to see your post. I loved your “We can’t spend our lives regretting our choices, wishing we’d chosen other paths, longing for do-overs.” It’s absolutely true. I also loved your 31 days on October. You’re fabulous!

  15. I’m late to the party, but I wanted to tell you how much this post resonates with me. I loved the Choose Your Own Adventure books, and I always had to go back and read each possible ending. I actually mentioned these books in a recent post, too. πŸ™‚ We must be kindred spirits.

    My husband and I are talking about buying our first house right now, and it’s so hard to commit to one neighborhood, one floor plan, etc. I like to keep my options open, too, and I worry about making the wrong choice and ending up with regret. Thanks for the reminder that every day is a new start with our God.