Do you ever find yourself using that phrase?  If only I had planned ahead...If only I lost some weight...If only I had a bigger youth group :)....If only I could have seen that coming...etc?  Our lives are filled with if only questions.  These questions are us both doubting ourselves and dealing with our shortcomings.  Truth is essential to growth as a disciple, yet we need to balance that with the grace of God.  How do we best do that?  I am reading a book called Soul School (A great read) and I was reading about this the other day.  The author suggested in order to be truthful with ourselves yet graceful we needed to replace the if only's with even thoughs....so for example:

The other day I said to myself...If only I was more patient.  Then I changed that to, even though I am not very patient I am loved!

Thoughts?  Comments?