When we view life through the rear view mirror there is a tendency to do so through the lens of regret. Our pendulum swings toward the negative as we listen to thoughts like, “To move forward life needs to be seen through the windshield instead of always looking to the past.”
I get that and in many ways it makes sense.
We cave into thoughts which translate into sentiments like “I should have done that”, “I could have done this”, or “I would do things differently this time around”.
We get caught in the vortex of the Shoulda-Coulda-Woulda Syndrome and more often than not it gets us absolutely nowhere. Our tires spin in the proverbial snowbank over and over and over, with no forward movement to show for it.
In short, we’re stuck.
What if it were possible when looking back we could do so in awe of the place from which we have come?
More importantly, what if we did so in awe of an absolutely faithful Father who has literally carried us through life’s journeys, both those we have known as well as embracing those which are unknown.
To me, there is power in looking back!
For those of Jewish descent, the celebration of Passover is a prime example of ceremonially looking back to acknowledge and take stock of a tremendous deliverance out of slavery and a victory over their Egyptian taskmasters.
They could not do it on their own and only a miraculous intervention of monumental proportions would bring their freedom into reality.
This national deliverance can be summarized in the thought – there is power in looking back!
The day after Thanksgiving we ventured out to a local tree farm for our annual Christmas tree shopping extravaganza, this time with five of our eight grandchildren (and their parents) along for the ride, looking for the perfect tree.
It literally amazes me how among the hundreds of trees, we always find the perfect one. At least the weather was not too frightful and the mission was accomplished in less than an hour.
The next order of business when we returned home was to pull out our ornaments and get the assistance of our mini-tribe (age range 2 through 9) to help us hang our collection of trinkets on the perfect tree.
This year, we were grateful to make it a family affair and to create some memories.
Decorating the tree would not be the same without the retelling of our first Christmas together, commemorated by our first official Christmas ornament purchased 43 years ago.
Jackie and I were married at the beginning of our senior year in college. At the time we were living off of summer employment savings, wedding money, work study jobs, in addition to qualifying for food stamp assistance as married college students.
We did what we had to do. As the calendar changed from September to October to November we managed to keep our heads above water financially.
As we rounded the bend from Thanksgiving into the Christmas season our entire net worth was around $100. I had to remind myself, “Take a deep breath Bruce!”
We trusted God and He, as always, took care of us.
As Jackie has done since that very first Christmas, she wanted to make it special. She hinted at going shopping for decorations. My thoughts were more focused on how we would survive than it was on visions of sugar plums dancing through my head.
Once I got my eye to stop twitching at the thought of wiping out our net worth, I was fine. After all, we were newlyweds. As Dave Ramsey states, “We may not have money honey, but we have love”.
We spent about half of our net worth on Christmas decorations, with the 1978 First Christmas Together ornament now the only surviving purchase from our first Christmas together. Each year I insist that it is hung atop our tree, front and center. The older we get the more I am compelled to give this ornament the sacred spot on the tree.
There is power in looking back!
I will admit the annual retelling of my tale has at times taken a negative spin. To put it bluntly, what in the world were we thinking?
Not this year.
For me, especially at this spot on the road we are currently traveling, it is a reminder that there is power in looking back.
It transcends “an absolutely faithful Father who has literally carried us through” our present situation.
For those of you not familiar our present reality, I invite you to read my last post as a means of catching you up to speed.
The simple ornament has served as a present reminder of our faith in God.
Each year since we have added one special ornament to our collection as a simple way to mark time and to celebrate God for His faithfulness in our lives.
As I was reading my daily devotional today, these words jumped off the page.
“What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we HOPE for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.”
Hebrews 11:1 TLB
When I had $100 in my bank account (minus the first decoration purchase!) God was faithful.
In the season in which we find ourselves, despite any real or perceived uncertainties, God is faithful and He continues to meet our needs.
It is in remembering how He has never failed us which allows our confidence to rise in our good Father who has always come to our aid.
As the prophet Isaiah declares,
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Isaiah 43:2-3 NLT
In other words, God is faithful and He is ever present.
During this time, one prevailing thought has anchored me as His heart touches mine.
“I am your Father. You are my son. I am good. You can trust me.”
I have taken this God breathed whisper to the bank and then some.
Why?
Because it is true.
Your situation and my situation may be distinctly different.
However, the answer to your situation as well as mine is one and the same. His name is Jesus. You and I can trust Him implicitly.
As you celebrate this Christmas season allow Him room in your inn so He can show you how there truly is power in looking back over the course of your life to see how He too has carried you.
Recount those times where He has come through for you.
Remind yourself how faithful He truly is.
Above all, know there is power in looking back and in doing so let it help you to move forward.
I invite you to share in the comments any memory of how the power of looking back has served you well.