December 18, 2007

Christmas is just one week away. This is the time of year that memories are made, memories that we take with us and cherish for years to come. I love memories. They are a reminder to me of the blessings of life and of the gift of the people who haved shared my life with me.

May today be be filled with those kinds of blessings for you.

Becky


Something Old, Something New

Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18, 19 NASB)

I love looking at pictures. Give me a few extra hours to bring out the scrapbooks and the myriads of photos that have yet to make it in a scrapbook and I will be content in my own little world. I’ll laugh out loud as I come across pictures that make me remember happy moments from the past, some that had long been forgotten.

The temptation for me then becomes yearning for those days, relationships and friendships that are staring back at me from my photos. The mind is very selective and often chooses to forget anything negative associated with our most “warm and fuzzy” memories. So I find myself thinking that if I had the power in that moment to go back in time, I would do it. Or better yet, if I had the power to bring the past to the present I would do that.

When God created us with the ability to store up memories, He never intended for us to use those memories to pine for yesterday or to wish that we could turn our past into our present. Memories serve many purposes. They teach us, they mold us, they give foundation to our relationships and serve as reminders of what shaped us into the women we are today. But memories were created to be snapshots of our lives, not separate worlds for us to live in anytime the present seems difficult or unexciting. God always has something bigger and better for us as we allow Him to stretch us and help us to grow. Ironically, our present may one day be part of the very past that we remember with a smile if we are able to live in the moment and be open to what God has for us.

Do you see it? Do you feel it? God is telling you that He has something so wonderful for you just around the corner!