Sisters of Grace

The past has a way of repeating itself, if we have not learned the lessons. Or is it that we continue to choose the same old things? The funny thing about progression, is it’s not always linear. There are many paths that lead to the same destination. That is what brings fear, the desire to not be delayed or hindered in our pursuits. We naively think that the next one, will be easier. I am learning to let that notion go. Life is not meant to be easy. The challenges give us the hunger to fight for our dreams.

I often think about the past, I mean how can I not observe the passing, off time? That would mean that I am not truly living, if I have no memories. I have many things I have wanted to forget believe me. I wish I could forget some of those dark moments, but the greatest things often spring up from roots of pain and despair. One of the greatest, most well-known, and loved Christian songs, came about from great loss and pain. The writer of “It Is Well with My Soul, Horatio Spafford in 1873. The words are not what you would imagine from a man that had just lost his four daughters in a terrible shipwreck!

“When peace like a river, attends my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, You have taught me to know: It is well, it is well, with my soul. -Horatio Spafford

Like this great man, we use the pain to create solace and hope for others. We offer a hand into the lives of another and say here, take this it’s what helped me get through.

The popular phrase, “How it started vs. How it’s going” just came to me, it’s like that. The past represents our origin, and the future is our promised land, so to speak. We sow now to reap the benefits later. The process in between it’s important, grueling at times, but necessary. I think the best thing about thinking on the past is that we can see our growth and glean knowledge. I don’t live that way anymore, and you can see where things took a wrong turn. Or perhaps you see the moment that everything you believed you could do becomes a reality! What a feeling!

The New Year makes us think back to the past. It’s often a great time for reflection, and preparation. I did what all of us are doing in this season, I made the obligatory list of goals and schedule. However, one thing I always do is I get my journal and look back at those same lists from last year and I compare. I see what was accomplished and what maybe needs to be reworked. It is always such an amazing feeling as I can mark things off.

I often even forget some of the goals and aspirations that I set for myself. OOPS! Did I just admit that? Not that I didn’t plan to accomplish them but at times, I can only focus on one thing at a time. It scares me to see the whole list all the time. I like it slow and steady. It’s better that way.

Did you know that there are many benefits of thinking about the past?

• Emotional Connection: Reduces loneliness, helps to fill the continuation of things.
• Improved Creativity: Nostalgia is that feel good memories that come when something triggers a memory. This feelings help us to be more creative.
• Finding Truth: It helps us grow, and find purpose for things in hindsight.
• Better Self-Image: It helps enforce what we know to be true. Our confidence in our own abilities, is represented in seeing our whole self. “Remember how far you’ve come, not just how far you have to go.
• Enhanced Well-Being: When we look into the past, we begin to forgive those who have hurt us by knowing our own journey was not easy. The nostalgia makes us feel at home, even in a strange place or uncomfortable situation.

I think I have a good balance between the two now, the longer I live I start to look forward to the next chapters. I think some of it is out of impatience. Then another part is excited for what is ahead, choosing to keep believing. Just one more step, and you could be there. It’s a blessing to use the past in our futures. The hardest part is to remember to not be hindered by the fear or the future or the pain of the past.

To remain in a healthy balance, we must continue to ponder, plan, dream, work, create, and live with the future in mind, and the past as an old friend. It’s a wise teacher to those who will listen.

Happy Reading, stay blessed my friends and thank you for being here! Whatever you journey, I pray it is full of things that make you smile. And if not just keep walking.

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