Remember What It Was Like

My memory is not as keen as it once was. I still remember what it was like growing up in Kentucky as a young teenager. I remember working on the farm. I remember milking cows each morning before school. My dad milked two cows (who produced more milk than my three) and I milked three. We used some of the milk to drink (I still don’t like milk today) and sold the rest to a company who made cheese. We put the extra in a big metal milk can. I asked my Dad recently how much money we made, and he said, “not a lot”.  I grew up in a family that had very little in the way of money. I recently heard a phrase that describes our financial picture. “Poor is a state of mind, while broke is a state of my bank account.”  We didn’t really feel broke, but we were. It was all we knew at the time. I knew my friend Louie’s family had more money than us, but he was also the baby of his family and I was the oldest son in my family.

As I was reading more of the rules that the Lord gave Moses to give to the Israelites as they started toward the land promised to them, I was reminded to remember when my life was much different. Remembering should make me more grateful for where I am today. Check this out….

²¹ “You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. (Exodus 22:21 NLT)

I’ve never lived in a foreign land, but I do remember what it was like when I first moved to Tennessee from Kentucky. I also remember what it was like to move from Tennessee to Georgia.  The person who is new has a disadvantage to those who have been here a while.

It is similar to those who have known the Lord a long time and walked with Him. We can become a bit aloof – even if unintentional. This small verse of instruction reminded me this morning to remember where I came from and remember what it was like to be lost. I now know the Lord and I am walking with Him daily, but I do remember what it was like before I surrendered my life to Him.  His Presence in me gives my life meaning from the smallest details to the big events in my life. I want others to know the Peace and the Presence that comes from knowing Him.  Just because I’m walking with Him, doesn’t make me “better than others”. It also doesn’t guarantee that my life will go smoother. My perspective on things that happen in life is quite different since I started walking with the Lord wholeheartedly. He has definitely changed my perspective on my purpose here on earth.

It is helpful to remember what life was like way back when. It also helps to remember what life was like last year or last week. Perspective can clarify my current circumstances if I will take just a moment to look way back when.

Pressing On!

Dwayne