Memories
Memories are bittersweet.
Memories Elvis Presley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd5X2sqXE3c
Ride down memory lane
Recently, I was in one of my favorite small southern towns. I rode down a road I “once upon a time” often drove down: A country road once gravel, now paved. I had initially gone there to take a picture of a home where I lived for a short time. It had disappeared into a stand of bamboo. The old leaky roof finally took its toll on the wood frame home. I wanted some pictures of the run-down house to remind myself of just how blessed I am today. No pictures were taken but the lesson was clear: The Lord has been so very good to me.
Thanksgiving by Shawna Belt Edwards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTHDKxOL9cg
Day-Dreams
I drove on past the bamboo thicket and did what I did before; I kept my eyes up toward the power lines, treetops, and sky-filled clouds. This is how I rode on the back of the motorcycle. Someone else was worried about the infrequent car passing, cows in the road, a family dog running to chase the noise, or rain-washed potholes.
Sometimes nothing changes but everything is changed
As I passed the home of a neighbor I was struck by this fact; 50 years later, NOTHING had changed: Not a new shrub, not a different color paint, nothing. The gravel driveway still curved in front of the house, same outbuildings, same carport. The only thing different was there were not a half dozen pieces of equipment parked all over the side and back yard. The business run from the home was liquidated. No garden the mom kept. No cows or horses outback. And no clothes hung on a line. It appeared deserted save the red pickup truck. No kids running around in the yard. Time had marched on and the lives of those once living there had either passed away or no longer lived there, save one. It was lifeless. No growth or change.
Snapshots of the past
I have memories of this house. Some sweet, some bitter, some sad, some happy, some fun-filled laughter and tears. But now, memories are all that remains. Memories are like snapshots. Images captured on the surface of my mind and burned into my heart. There was love there but there was also heartbreak, fear, and uncertainty. I can still see the matriarch of this lively brood standing in the largest laundry room/office I had ever seen. Grandmaw lived in the original part of the house confined to a wheelchair. Six children filled two of the three bedrooms and shared one bath. The father rarely spoke and when he did it was gruff, no-nonsense. A hardworking man and woman providing for their family.
Grateful Memories
Do you ever compare what you have with what another has or doesn’t have? Of course, you have. It can be a good thing! On this ride down memory lane, I became very grateful. I am grateful not that my home is new, in a suburban neighborhood, with manicured lawn and flowerbeds. I am grateful everything did not go as I had thought it would. The song Thank God for Unanswered Prayers pops into my mind. The memories bring both a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.
Thankfull
I am thankful for the life the Lord gave me; The life I lived being nurtured emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically. You see, my life was lived without condemnation, ridicule, comparison, or being made fun of. My dreams were encouraged, my growth as a child of God was promoted and supported. I was the queen of an officer and a gentleman destined to be a leader, role model, and faithful husband and father.
Child of God Blessed
Being a child of God is very much like the life I have lived: safe, secure, protected. You are loved, advocated for, given good gifts, and never alone. I have never been left wanting or begging for bread. Food, clothing, housing, healing, and companions have all been provided. (Psalms 37:25)
Was it a fairytale of living happily ever after? Yes and no. No, because times have been very hard and those times broke me. But, yes, I do have the promise of happily ever after.
Comparisons Steals Joy of Today
Theodore Roosevelt said, “comparison is the thief of joy.” There is a magnet that has hung on my refrigerator for decades. It is of one pig chasing another and the caption reads: Just when I catch up with the Jones’, they refinance! Isn’t that the truth? Indeed, “the only antidote for comparison is contentment.” St. Paul wrote to the Galatians admonishing them to not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Gratitude
Gratitude is the theme of the month of November in America. Americans above all people have much to give thanks to God; for He has blessed us as a nation. May you take a moment today to reflect on where you have come from and see the hand of the Lord guiding you and protecting you as He prepares you for His service. Each step was to build in you a testimony of His grace.
Walking in the Master’s Footsteps
Life is a race. But it is not meant to be a race to keep up with or beat others. It is the best kind of competition: for you should only compare yourself to Jesus and your goal is to be more like HIM! The Jews call this “walking in His dust (footsteps). It is the picture of following by placing your foot in the footprint left by the Master and His dust gets on you and in time transforms you into His image.
Object Lessons
My memories of those rides, unknown to me at the time, were an “object lesson.” Life should be lived the way I rode on that motorcycle. Sit as close as possible to the One in control of the ride, hold on tight, and trust that safety and sure arrival are His ultimate plan and anything that should happen along the way will add to the experience and build trust in and love for Him. He is after all the Savior of the world, so He can certainly handle any bump in the road or sudden rainstorm that pops up. The ride really is beautiful! Feel the warmth of the Son. Let the wind blow through your Spirit and carry your prayers. But most of all, Be Thankful and Smile!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGcrMbx0K1c
When We Seek Him by Shawna Belt Edwards
Yvonne Jones
