In an episode of my favorite television show, Touched by an Angel, when a newer angel was regretting having done something one way instead of another, a question was put to her by a more senior angel.

The question: Do you know why God puts faces on the front of the body instead of on the back? The newer angel doesn't answer immediately, but later in the show she, says, "Faces are on the front so that people can see where they're going, not where they've been. We have to go forward, not backward." I like that concept—God means us to look forward!

Before coming back to the study of Christian Science, I spent a great deal of time looking back, regretting the person I was—living only for the day, self-centered, egotistical, not a very nice guy. I wasn't exactly the type of person who should have been married and the daddy of a wonderful little girl. The result was a divorce and limited visitation with my daughter.

One day, my mother gave me a very loving gift—a copy of Science and Health. I'll be honest. It sat unread for many, many months; but when I hit rock bottom, I began to read and ultimately was led back to the spiritual teaching of my youth. Through my intensive study of the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, I understood that I had to quit looking back.

In my study of the works of Paul in the New Testament, I learned that if anybody had a reason to look back and feel sorry for past sins, it had to be this apostle. Prior to his conversion to Christianity, he had been an avid persecutor of the early Christians. Yet, once converted, Paul realized the importance of looking forward and not dwelling on the past. In his Epistle to the Philippians, Paul tells us to forget "those things which are behind," and to reach "forth unto those things which are before" (3:13). These are words to live by, especially if you have regrets about past mistakes.

Science and Health explains why it's possible to change for the better: "If you believe in and practise wrong knowingly, you can at once change your course and do right" (p. 253). Admittedly, when I practiced wrong, when I was absorbed with living materially instead of spiritually, doing wrong never fazed me! But when I began my search for Christ, Truth, doing wrong became repulsive to me. I am now always on guard against temptation or any lie that mortal mind can present to me: sin, sickness, disease, lack—you name it. Error, by any name or in any form, has absolutely no power in God's kingdom. I begin my day humbly seeking our Father's direction and protection; if you do the same, you will find that He will guide and protect you, too. Remember, it's our God-given right to resist evil of any sort the way Christ Jesus did—directly. He said, "Get thee behind me, Satan" (Matt. 16:23).

Finally, here is one of the simplest but most profound thoughts I clung to: "When we wait patiently on God and seek Truth righteously, He directs our path" (Science and Health, p. 254).

Having tried to live both materially and spiritually, I've learned from experience. When approaching life from the material side, more times than not one tends to ignore God, our heavenly Father, and the teachings of His Son. The mortal, or carnal, tendencies run rampant; life is like riding in a rowboat in a category five hurricane. When we wait on God and seek His truth, however, we should have no doubt that He directs us. He has directed me, and because of His direction I am truly a "new man." I've been freed of many vices and sins. I am a happier, more gentle, more loving, compassionate guy. Most important, my relationship with my daughter and her mother has become quite harmonious.

I have no doubt that if I had not turned back to God and His direction of my life, none of these wonderful things would have come to pass.

Is your life full of discord, turmoil, and regret? As I've learned, there is no reason for it to be. Our Father is waiting with open arms.