The Good Ol Days

This past week I have spent a lot of time reflecting on my younger years.  This has been due to the unrelated deaths of two people who were close to me when I was growing up.  Due mostly to geographical distance I have not seen either of these people much in recent years.  So with their passing, I have found myself thinking back .  It is funny haw selective our memories work.  We pull out distinct images and general impressions.  Feelings and a few specific incidences.  And with those flash backs come the feelings that come with it.

On facebook I have seen in various forms a post that goes "Who remembers this?" and there will be some item that was once common and now nonexistent.  Like an old song these images take us back to younger years and simpler times.

Some people have a different experience when they reflect on the past.  They encounter the regret that won't let them go.  We know the good old days weren't always good.  We all have places in our past that we would like a do over.  Some people let the demons of the past block their access to a bright future.  Obstacles of the past can be like the troll guarding the bridge, always blocking our way to the future.

The good old days weren't always good.  That is true for all of us.  We need to acknowledge the past mistakes without letting it prevent our access to a brighter future.  We need to move beyond our past, without being blind to it.  

But luckily, God cares more about where we are going than where we have been.

Watch this clip from Pastor Lowell.

God isn't as concerned about where we were as where we are and where we will be.  That is truly Amazing Grace.