Looking back at my childhood I can remember clearly certain things. For example, my favorite pocket comb said in white letters, “Security Central” That’s my bank! The John Knauff for Sherriff hand fan that my grandma used to keep by her chair and of course the Brant and Appel yardstick that was used not only for sword fights with my cousin but occasionally an instrument of character motivation if you know what I mean. So with the thought of memories at hand allow me to share an experience from a year or so ago. Often after each Christmas I find myself in the possession of gift cards, gift certificates and even perchance a Christmas gift of the green sort. As I was exploring the many different options available to me whereby I might dispose of said spoil, or in other words, how I could blow the cash, I heard mention of the Reds caravan. Reds caravan is an event sponsored by the Cincinnati Reds for the purpose of promoting the team for the next season. Often accompanying the caravan there are a few select players from the past. In other words, some names even I would know. Now being a die-hard Cincinnati Reds fan in the 1970’s my ears immediately perked up and I was tempted to try and plan on attending an event if it happened to be close by. Unfortunately the timing was off and I was resigned to the fond memories that had begun to stir in my mind. About that time a great idea hit me like a Don Gullett fastball. I remembered seeing the entire, get this now, the entire 1975 World Series available on DVD that year in a bookstore in Cincinnati. Now, when I first saw it I was a bit disappointed to learn that it carried a pretty hefty price tag. For those of you that read much of anything I write you know a few things for sure. Number 1, I like coffee, and I like it a lot. Number 2, I’m as cheap as they come. So with the price tag scaring me like a mean look from Sparky Anderson, I forgot about the DVD’s. I forgot about them until that day I’m recounting to you. My plan, which worked brilliantly I might add, was to go to a bookseller website and price the DVD set immediately. If per chance they were not selling fast enough, experience tells me that they could be priced to move, and they were, and I did. So today I am the proud owner of the entire, did I mention, the entire 1975 World Series between the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox? The only problem I have had is that I can’t find the time to sit down and watch the entire 1975 World Series between the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox. But, what I have experienced is wonderful, plus there is an added bonus. As I watched the first game begin I began to remember what life was like for me back then. I mean thoughts I hadn’t had in years came back to me. Memories of where I was when I watched the games, the make and model of television we had in our home at the time and the carefree life of being a kid again even surfaced for the first time in I don’t know when. Now don’t let this concern you, I’m not off to one of those fantasy baseball camps in Florida or anything but I have enjoyed some wonderful reminiscing.
The whole experience makes me think of what Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus regarding our past. “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worked in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ugh, doesn’t sound like much to look back on with fondness. In fact Paul says to the church at Philippi in regard to the past…. Don’t look Back! But I am led to ask the question, what good is the past? What good can we glean from it?
Let me quickly suggest a few things we can benefit from in remembering our past. First, we can look back and celebrate what the Lord has brought us from. For many of us it’s a blessing to think about what the Lord has delivered us from. I don’t recommend dwelling in our pasts, but we can be thankful we aren’t there anymore. Secondly, by looking back we can learn a lot. By remembering what we have done, we learn a few things we don’t want to do again. It’s an old country boy law, “you don't learn anything the second time you're kicked by a mule.” Sometimes we as Christians need to stop along life's road and look back. Although it might have been winding and steep, we can see how God directed us by His faithfulness. When we face difficulties we sometimes forget God's past faithfulness. We see only the detours and the dangerous path. But look back and you will also see the joy of victory, the challenge of the climb, and the presence of your traveling Companion who has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. And as we find ourselves in the sunset days of our lives we can look back with fond memories and reflect with the words of the famous Statler Brothers, Ah do you remember these?
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