A Drive Down Memory Lane

Spring is upon us, with more hours of sunlight, flowers blooming, bees buzzing, trees sprouting their new leaves, birds building their nests for their coming young and that joyous feeling of new life all around as we’ve come out of a cold, dark winter.  I saw so many of these things recently while driving through my old stomping grounds.  I went to visit a friend and traveled down roads that I kept hot as a teenager in the late 80’s while driving my Chevy Malibu.  It was my first car, and man, could that thing fly!

As I drove around on the country roads, I passed by a couple of houses where dads were out in the front yard playing pitch with their sons.  Down the way, a group of young ladies were practicing their color guard routine for band. Then there was a group gathered around a small fire pit having lively conversation. People out everywhere enjoying a nice, late afternoon. Then there were the rolling hills of pastureland where cows, horses and goats roamed free.  For me, there’s nothing quite like the beauty of the country. Things are a little different these days, but when I was a young girl, you knew your neighbors, people stopped by to visit unannounced and kids would leave out on a bicycle early in the day and not come home until the sun set.  Summers were hot, but we spent them outside.  Mostly barefoot and in desperate need of a bath, but oh what fun we had.

I drove past my old high school and was immediately taken back to my teenage years. There was the football field where I watched my husband-to-be play in the band and where I would sell athletic programs at the gate. There was the parking lot where our school buses would park for us to get to and from choir and band competitions.  I have so many fond memories from my high school, my teachers and my principal. 

Aside from the disfunction in my life, there was also the normal drama, heartbreak, tears and mood swings that most teens experience.  Despite all of that, I still tried to involve myself in extracurricular activities both in and outside of school.  Keeping myself busy and involved helped take my mind off my issues and kept me away from home.

I am so thankful for the memories of those people who invested their time in me, no matter how small. Even if it was nothing more than a kind smile or spoken word, I remember them to this day. I suppose that because of all that I’ve been through, I’m mindful of how much those things can matter because we never know what someone has been through or currently going through.  Just a smile or kind word can lift the spirit of someone who is in a dark place.

Do you think back on your childhood? What are your fondest memories? Have you been back to where you grew up and spent some time looking around?  Isn’t it funny how things look so much smaller when we’re grown? In my neck of the woods, houses have replaced a lot of the rolling hills and farmland that was present when I was a young girl.  Back then, everyone had a farm and a lot of land, and they kept it in the family because land meant something. But after the older generation passed on, the younger generation would sell the land in parcels. It’s just a reminder that nothing stays the same.  Things change and life moves on.

What I want to leave you with is this, Revelation 21:5 says, “Behold I am making all things new”. As we enter the Spring season with growth and new life all around, is there an area of your life that needs to be made new? Are there decisions that you need to make? Is there someone that could use your smile or your encouragement? What are some ways that you can pour into others? If we all can be intentional during our day, the impact we can have will be limitless.

Maybe you don’t feel that you have much to offer anyone because of your past, but know this, no matter what you have been through, and no matter what you’re going through now, don’t give up hope.  God sees you.  He loves you and He wants you to trust Him with your soul and the very details of your life.  As you do that, over time, you will be able to look back at His faithfulness as He led you out of situations that seemed hopeless. And each time you can point back to how He brought you out of those dark places, it builds your faith and offers hope for your steps ahead.  Stay faithful to Him.  Believe.  Trust.  Press ahead knowing that He knows the path before you.  He’s already there, so you can absolutely trust Him.

So, smile knowing that you are loved by the Creator of the Universe and be the reason someone else smiles.