Remembering the Way We Were!/My Modern Day Journey in Faith/”Truth Series”

I can remember I was always in their room, messing with my grandmother’s perfume. I could always hear the faint strands of music coming from the kitchen and would run to get between them when they slow-danced together some evenings. I would wrap my little arms around my grandfather’s legs and the three of us moved side to side. 

I can still hear the soft music playing from the old gray “walkie talkie” looking radio, my grandfather purchased from Sears before I was born. Nat King Cole’s music was always their favorite in our house in those days.

I also remember the feelings of belonging to something way bigger than myself, yet I was an important piece of that legacy.

Every childhood memory included my grandparents. And as I am embarking on new levels of growth during this unique year, God has allowed for me to view those times that I can only describe as “the way we were” with comfort and strength.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

All of our childhood memories have played a part in our navigation of life. What we saw or experienced tends to be like a map on how we face things.

During this COVID trial we are in, I find myself more and more pulling out those old files cabinets in my mind of the old times, the simpler times.

Now, I realize we all do not have wonderful childhood memories and remembering them brings more pain than comfort, but take comfort in the fact that God was there seeing you through those times as well.

My grandparents survived so much uncertainty, yet I can’t remember a time where they were held back by it. 

I find myself now struggling with uncertainty in the not knowing what the other side of this will look like. Do you feel this way too?

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

There is peace in remembering once was, but we cannot stay there. 

It’s easy to look back on the times I had with my grandparents and get lost in the reminiscence, but God is calling us to use nostalgia as fuel to move forward.

I know we can all use a break in this 2020 reality, but this year is forging something greater than ourselves. 

There are major moves being made in God’s kingdom that could have only happened under severe pressure. And we all have been feeling that, am I right?

The memories I have, have set a solid foundation for my existence. God placed me exactly where I was born to become exactly who I am becoming. 

But the kicker is, we must all get to a point in acknowledging and understanding our past without allowing the future to be infected by it.

We have been shaped and molded since we were born. Everything and everyone has played a part in who we are today, but God is calling us to be greater than the before….to face the amazing of tomorrow!

I enjoy looking back on the memories of the way we were to be able to hold onto the promise still to come.

God has so much in store for us, but we must be able to face things and move on.

So this week I challenge you to take some time to remember the way you were. I want you to write down how you were then compared to how you are now.

If for whatever reason you find yourself moving backwards and not forward in your growth, I need you to have a true heart to heart with God to repair what is still left broken (could be from childhood), and heal what you are still holding onto. Then let it all go.

We are in this unique space for a reason and unlike other times, we are called to do more than we thought we could.

God believes in you and so do I. Now you must believe in yourself. Use those memories to help you remember how strong, brave, blessed, and loved you really are.

And as always you know you got this!

Sincerely, 

Terryn