Down Memory Lane

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! (Psalm 25:1-7 ESV). The image of walking with someone special to you “down memory lane” is often pleasant. With both Mary and I being retired we have had several opportunities to revisit some of the moments we have shared over the last forty-six years together. I must confess that has been easier since we have moved back “home.” And, I must admit that some of these memories have been a blessing while others have been difficult. The key is always in how we handle these moments of recall. Memories are like that; they can bless or torment. In a random moment there flashes a familiar face across your mental screen. Maybe it’s someone you worked with years ago, or went to church with, someone with whom you prayed or laughed. Maybe it’s the face of a loved one now with the Lord. How you respond depends, in part, on your personality. If you can immediately give thanks for that person and go on, you are in an enviable position. However, for many, there’s a prior step. The memory makes you sad. You know you can’t go back. You’ll never share those great times again. You’ll never be together again in the same way. Now that you’ve acknowledged your sadness you’re ready to give thanks to the Lord. You acknowledge the real pang of sadness, then move forward to give thanks for the time God gave you together back then. Then there are also the painful memories. Some faces that come remind you of foolish, harmful, or selfish things you’ve done; of people you’ve hurt, or who hurt you. In these cases we don’t want to go back, we just want to forget. The opposite is true though. Instead of forgetting, we ought to use the moment to revisit the incredible grace and strength of our heavenly Father. As he has forgiven us, we forgive others, and thereby gain the best God has to give us. I love the verse, “Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness O Lord!” (v. 7). What memories will you meet today as you stroll along Memory Lane? Embrace them all. Take them in stride. Practice forgiveness and restoration. Renewal is always pleasant!