Memories

(Psalm 63:6 KJV) I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches…

The ability to remember is one of the greatest blessings in life. However, memory is like the tongue…it can be used in a positive way or it can be used in a negative way.

If one only remembers their bad experiences then they often live a weak and unfulfilled life. If one only remembers their good experiences then they are living in self-denial. However, when one remembers both their good and bad experiences then that allows those experiences to act as building blocks in their life for strength, confidence and a greater ability to overcome.

I am sure there is a scientific study of my theory concerning the effect of experiencing difficulties early in one’s life. It seems to me that those who face difficulties early in life stand a better chance of adjusting to them and succeeding later on in life. I have also noticed that the percentage of folks who are not challenged early in life find it more difficult to adjust to challenges later on in life. Perhaps the reason is because their resistance was either never developed or it was slow in developing.

I am not suggesting that a child go through hard painful times in order to succeed in life…I am only pointing out what I have observed. Because I am a very protective father, my desire is for all children to have only good memories even though I realize that is not likely to happen.

My nature has always been to study people. I study their moods, their looks, their eyes, their laughs, and the tone of their conversation for the purpose of understanding who they are within. By understanding the person better, it is easier for me to understand what memories could be the driving force behind their actions.

I believe each person faces life differently because of their memories. Some memories tend to make one feel strong and confident, others tend to make one feel peaceful, while others tend to make one sad or insecure. Regardless of how our memories work it is important that we do not become pity seekers as a result of bad memories.

Someone said, “Memories sneak out of my eyes and roll down my cheeks.” Obviously these are sad memories.

To be absolutely fair…because I have spent a lifetime analyzing others and why they do what they do I think it is only fitting to give a report on myself. After all what is good for one is good for the other.

I am embarrassed to say that in my later teens I probably looked at my bad memories more than I should have and therefore sought a little sympathy now and then. However, as I came to know the Lord He filled all of my sympathy needs and I never looked on the lower side of life again.

When I do look back on my eighty plus years of life I can see how the Lord was with me even before I knew Him. He was protecting me even in my difficult times and using those experiences to make me into a man with compassion. Thank you Lord.

Father,

Help us to use all of our memories in a positive way knowing that You can take even our broken and difficult one’s and make them into something special. Thank You Father for trusting us with such tests and help us to be good examples to those who are struggling with their bad memories.

Amen