Fond Memories

"Oh, that I were as in months past."

Job 29:2

I'm thinking today, but I'm not thinking about today.  That is, I'm thinking today about how yesterday looks today.  Or rather, how we look at yesterday, from the viewpoint of today.

Memories... you know what I'm saying?  Not a day goes by that I'm not trying to remember something I was supposed to do, or something someone said to me.

And yet, not a day goes by that I'm don't find myself remembering something, too.  Something pops into my mind unexpectedly, or I see something that makes me think of something.... you know how it goes.

It's especially common at Christmas.  Nearly every ornament on the tree reminds me of someone or someplace.  Most of them very sweet memories of old friends or wonderful vacations.  Decorations around the house were gifts from loved ones, or maybe even made by someone I miss.

And I'm struck by the wistful tone in today's quote.  Of course, Job has good reason to be wistful.  He well remembers a time when his life was good.  Very good.  But often, when we look back, it's with a not-quite-honest point of view.  Charles Spurgeon wrote, "(We) view the past with pleasure, but regard the present with dissatisfaction; (we) look back upon the days (passed) as the sweetest and best (we) have ever known..."  But it isn't always true.

There is danger in looking behind.  There is no such thing as Camelot.  There is good and bad in every day, in every season.  What we remember as better or wonderful or perfect is simply the result of selective memory.

Fond memories are nice.  They are a gift.  But they can also be a distraction to our here-and-now.  That's why they say, "You can't go home again."  Because what you remember wouldn't be the same.  Or you wouldn't be the same. 

Praise God for now, even while you're fondly remembering then.  Praise Him for who you have become, because of who you were. 

And be sure to anticipate the wonder of what's to come!

~ "Jesus Christ is the same 

      yesterday, today and forever." ~

Hebrews 13:8

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Answers to yesterday's quiz:  
1.   All I Want for Christmas is my Two Front Teeth
2.   Angels We Have Heard on High
3.   Carol of the Bells
4.   Deck the Halls
5.   Do You Hear What I Hear?
6.   The First Noel
7.   Frosty the Snowman
8.   God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
9.   Go, Tell it on the Mountain!
10. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

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