When the right decision still stings.

Hey Reader,

I have been having thinking a lot about regret lately. It could have possibly stemmed from a conversation I recently had with a friend or just life happenings. More than likely, its both of them.

Regret is a funny—and often complex—thing. It's not always as simple as we make it out to be.

There are times when you don't regret a decision itself, but the aftermath? The byproduct? It can still hurt like hell.

You know with complete certainty that walking away was the right choice for your family, your health, or your assignment in that season. And yet, you can still find yourself sitting in the sting of what was left on the table.

I’ll be completely real with you: recently, I saw that my former employer's stock tripled. I had options. I left a lot of financial gain behind when I walked away. Seeing those numbers hit... it stung.

In fact, while you are reading this email today, there's a very good chance I’ll be out doing gig work.

The gap between where you used to sit and where you currently stand can try to play mind games with you if you let it. But in those moments, I have to ground myself in what is true:

I made the absolute best decision I could with the information, capacity, and direction I had at the time.

I have to trust that God is working all things together for my good—and "good" doesn't always wear a financial label.

• Good is one person reading this note today and feeling less alone in their transition.
• Good is a video helping someone decide not to throw in the towel on their family or business.
• Good is sharing an insight from God that points even one person back to Jesus.

Could I have done some of those things while keeping my old seat? Maybe. Maybe not. But I know for a fact that I am not willing to waste the time I’ve been given today.

My absolute biggest regret wouldn't be leaving stock options on the table. My biggest regret would be hiding the gifts God gave me because the setting didn't look like what it used to.

If you're in a season of building from scratch, remember this: do not despise small beginnings.

Years ago, I started on a crazy, unpredictable path that eventually led me to becoming a Vice President at a Fortune 50 company. God did it then, and He can build something even greater now...on His terms, not corporate ones.

Trust the decision you made in the light, even when the aftermath feels heavy in the dark.

Talk soon,

LCJ