This is the tip of the iceberg! Before moving I separated all my children's photos and gave them to each of them. These albums and several boxes still remain in my possession.
Pictures from long ago with a special cousin.
To this #1 grand fifteen years ago
Vacations, holidays, births, deaths, marriages, ballgames, adventures, special family and friends, momentous occasions, and the day to day of life---I looked at each and every one of them. It was a wonderful trip down memory lane.
Through the peaks and the valleys, I have had a blessed and joy filled life. Somehow I had let my grief cast a shadow on all the good--all the joy--the eternal presence of God in my life---every step of the way. I had lost my sense of perspective of the truth- What a wonderful life I have had. As The Word promises-
that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So it is with our memories--no event, nor man, can take our memories from us, and those memories are entirely our own. Though age or cerebral hemorrhage or traumatic brain injury may lock them behind a door, those memories are still in the storehouse.
As I reflected and smiled and laughed and even shed a tear or two while looking at those pictures, I remembered, the SAME GOD who was there then is still with me now. The Same God who showered me with blessings, held me in my sorrow, and wanted only His Good for me is still present with me today.
Why then--would I not think know He has more joy, more blessings, more evidence of His presence in the years to come? How could I have possibly thought my life was dwindling away in the fog bank of "If Only"? Looking through the pictures of the last few years--I realize--I still have joy--I still am blessed--HE IS STILL WITH ME. Perhaps I have grown to know the greatest certainty of His presence in the hardest of times.
The Same God who has loved me for the first 59 years--has loved me the last 8 years. My hope is built on nothing less.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12
By the way--I NEVER found the picture I was looking for--wonder WHO sent me on the wild goose chase---Smiles!
I don't understand the 59 years 8 years bit. Maybe I'm stupid.
ReplyDeleteYes, we all have memories of the past, mostly happy ones, some sad ones. But they are memories all the same and they make us what we are now.
The thing is Lulu: The past tempts us. The present confuses us. And the future frightens us.
The past tempts us because we remember the good times and think, if only I could go back to the good old days.
The present confuses us because life is moving so fast and not always in logical directions.
The future frightens us becasue we don't know what will happen, to us, to our loved ones, and to the world.
But we need not fear. God has been in the past and in the future, and has made it safe for us. He is Alpha and Omega - the Beginning and the End.
God bless.
We all have life changing points in time, Victor. A big change came for me at 59. Great comment, thank you"!
DeleteBlessings, My Friend!
hmmm.....who sent you??{giggling}
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post, Lulu...thank you for making me smile.
Happy Tuesday, My Friend!
DeleteBlessings!
I really like what friend Victor has to say... and I like knowing what you were looking for...and now hearing about the epiphany the photographic journey took you on!
ReplyDeleteYou are the only one who knows the treasure I was seeking...The point of the treasure hunt, I believe, was all this and see how God used you to have me go down memory lane.
DeleteBless You!
Hi Lulu! Don't you just love it when you see how God works? You never found the photo you were looking for, but you got something so much better. You got the gift of knowing that God is eternal in his love and care, and would never abandon you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your emotional journey to heal just a little bit more. Step by step, right?
Have a great weekend!
Ceil
Yes, My Friend---step by step!
DeleteWeekend Blessings To You!