The Good Ole Days

I’ve been around people who talk about the “good ole days” like they were so easy. I can remember my grandparents referring to a simpler life – but it was also a hard life.

I can remember the days before the digital pager.

I can remember the days before cell phones.

I can remember the days before music on CD’s

I can remember the days before the iPod or mp3 players.

I can remember the days before the internet.

I can remember when internet was “dial-up”.

I remember life before Google and Apple.

When I reflect on the “good ole days” they had their problems too. I tend to forget the hard parts of the “good ole days” and remember only the good times.   Anyone who has suffering in their rear-view mirror knows exactly what I’m speaking of.

Job is still suffering and it’s not because of anything he has done badly. When I go back to the first chapter and the Lord ALLOWS him to suffer at the hands of the enemy – it was more like a test. Satan thought he would curse God in his suffering. As he’s reflecting back on the “good ole days” before his suffering, it’s bringing him joy to reflect. Check this out….

² “I long for the years gone by
    when God took care of me,
³ when he lit up the way before me
    and I walked safely through the darkness.
⁴ When I was in my prime,
    God’s friendship was felt in my home.
⁵ The Almighty was still with me,
    and my children were around me. (Job 29:2-5 NLT)

I think one of the reasons why gratitude is high on my list today, is because the past was filled with struggle and suffering.  When I go through suffering and struggle, it is often “the making of me”. I learned things through struggle that I’m not sure I could learn any other way.  I want to keep my rear-view mirror small and my windshield big as I look for what is ahead, but not forgetting what is behind. I don’t want to dwell in my past or get stuck there.  I want to walk with the Lord in the present and I want to be present with Him. The present is precious in its own way.  I want to walk with the Lord today, with His Word at the tip of my tongue and planted deep within my soul. I will then be prepared for whatever comes my way in the future.

Pressing On!

Dwayne