Repentance in two parts

"Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?" Ezekiel 18:23 
"Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die." Ezekiel 18:28
These verses spoke to me this morning, and particularly the last one. I circled the word "considers" in my Bible because I felt that it was a key part of the scripture. God asks us to think about our actions, as well as turn away from them. Turning over a new leaf is great, but unless you understand why and consider why the old ways were sinful, I think you are probably not safely established in your new habits.
It seems like losing weight to me. I can go on a diet, change my ways for a little while, and eat healthy foods. But if I don't realize what my old habits were doing to me, then I won't understand why they led to me gaining weight. If I don't understand why some foods are fattening and others healthful, then I probably will slip right back into my old eating patterns.
But even if I do understand all that (and I do!), if I don't completely turn away from the old ways, then I will eventually backslide (I do that, too!). That's the repentance part. God teaches us that there are two parts to repentance: being truly remorseful for what you have done, and then making a permanent change in behavior. And, I cannot be truly remorseful if I have not fully considered what I have done. Prayer and meditation can bring me to a place of deep consideration, a thoughtful time where I can visit and review my thoughts and actions. Journaling and blogging do, as well.
God doesn't want us to be lost, he doesn't get any pleasure out of our death to sin. He wants us with him and he wants us to turn from our wicked ways. He just wants us to fully understand what we're doing, and why, when we do it.