Remembering the Good Old Days

Remember when the hardest thing you had to decide was what toy you were going to play with when you woke up from your nap? Remember when all you had to do was sit down to eat your meal? There was no deciding whether you wanted to eat at all, or what to eat, or when to eat. Your mom called you to come eat, and you sat down and ate what was on the plate. I have been thinking about this for a while. How many things change when you grow up.

I remember going to school and the biggest drama was who got the swings first. I remember when homework for school took me half an hour when I got home, and studying for a test was glancing at the review guide and having Dad ask me the questions. I remember when we traded things in our lunch box so we could have "our perfect meal." I remember when the biggest deal at school was the school play we rehearsed for three months. I remember when Mom and I went shopping for my clothes. I remember when fashion wasn't a big deal, and who had the cutest hair cut, or longest hair, or prettiest makeup was not even part of discussions or concerns. I remember when "liking" a guy meant giggling with your girlfriends, blushing, and playing with him, if possible. I remember when it was okay for more than one girl to like another guy, and it wasn't a big deal. I remember what it was like to talk to whoever you wanted to without getting in trouble with the girl/boyfriend for talking to their girl/boyfriend.

I remember when there was no drama with friends. All you did was play with your friends when you had a "play date." I remember when there was no judging, no harsh criticism, and rarely hurt feelings. I remember when your parents could make your world right again after it got tipped and slanted by unkind words or an incident at school or church.

I look now and think, "Wow, did I have it easy. I had naps and 10 hours to sleep at night. I had my meals made for me. I had good friends, fun school, easy homework, and fun times and memories. I had no stress and no decision making." And today I am thinking, "Would I go back to that or do I like struggling through where I am at right now." I'm wondering if these drama filled days are over when people mature. I wonder if when I "grow up" these kinds of things won't happen as much and maybe I will be able to deal with them better. I wonder if I will make my children's worlds right by simply talking to them or hugging them. I wonder if what is now a big deal- will ever phase me later on. I wonder if I will be able to make better friend choices, better life decisions, and move on a little better.

I wonder if everything I am going through now will make it worthwhile. Will this drama really matter in Heaven? Does God look at this stuff and shake His head, wondering why we think this is a big deal, or what we are thinking. I know I fail him as many times as I fail my parents and family and friends. If I was God, I think I would have given up on me already. But I am reminded that God is the perfect Husband and even when I fail Him, He will never fail me. And to me, this is one of the most comforting thoughts ever. I will fail and fall, and He will remain steady and upright, and all I need to do is look up and reach for His hand that is constantly extended ready to help me get up and stay strong and true and steady. And for me it makes me look and say, "No I would not go back to the good old days." Mainly because God never promised it would be easy, and when I live in a fallen world, things are going to happen that hurt or confuse me and I know that in Heaven, it won't be like that. "For behold old things have passed away, and new things are made." So as I reminisce about everything and how things have changed, I keep thinking how wonderful it will be to go to Heaven and do what truly will bring me the most fulfillment- and that is worshipping my Creator.