MEMORIES FROM THE PAGES OF MY MIND

by Charles Robey
(Trussville)

"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now"(Philippians 1:3-5).

The smell of Mom's cooking. The sound of a porch swing on a warm summer day. The sight of a long lost friend. Memories! Yes, memories are what makes us what we are. And the older we get, the more those long past memories seem to come back to mind. Some good and of course some bad,as well.

One need only mention any number of present day experiences. Suddenly, and without any warning or mind control, those recollections of the past seem to crop up from somewhere in the sub-conscience. You know the occasion, "I remember when". Or, "do you remember when", etc. Nothing is more frustrating, to those loved ones around us, than to equate or associate an ongoing conversation with some recalled experience of days gone by (Proverbs 21:15).

The ability to remember, however, is a well tuned marvel of God (Psalm 119:73). As believers, good memories can be a helpful tool (Hebrews 2:1).

Our modern day psychological professorial has a diagnosis for this phenomenon. A flashback, or involuntary recurrent memory, is a psychological phenomenon in which an individual has a sudden, usually powerful, re-experiencing of a past experience or elements of a past experience. These experiences can be happy, sad, exciting, or any other emotion one can consider. The term is used particularly when the memory is recalled involuntarily, and/or when it is so intense that the person "relives" the experience, unable to fully recognize it as memory and not something that is happening in "real time".

Nonetheless, for me, it's simply remembering those good old days. What do I mean by the idiom "good old days"? Is it a particular era or simply a certain date of romanticisation nostalgic hindsight? A time when I was at my best and wisest. Holder of that 20/20 vision. Whatever the meaning, it was a sincere period of my life. If only I could go back, not in memory only, but to enjoy the good and correct the bad.

Since, we can never physically go back or change our past, we must optimistically push forward, with our thinking as well as with our life.
"Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to his life"? (Matthew 6:27)

It is said that age has been found to make a difference on the amount of memory recalls. Logically speaking, the longer we live, the more life experiences are tucked away in our memory bank.

It is also said that emotions play a stronger role in relation to our memory recall. This too is a logical assumption. Memories associated with stronger happier times of life tend to over ride those of a more stressful unhappy life style. So, why not trust in the Lord to help you improve the positive images of your mind (Romans 12:1-2).

Since King Solomon was the wises man to ever live. Why not take an example from his play book. Simply read one chapter, from the book of Proverbs, each day for one month. As you read, take written note of how his wisdom, which was inspired by God, applies to your daily living. Then use your own notes as a future devotional reference point. And never forget to lean on your closes companion or friend. Especially, in spiritual matters of the heart (Ecclesiastes 4:9,10)

Yes, memories are a very important fact of our lives (Philippians 1:1-7). Often times, a good memory can get us over the bad times hump. A good memory may also serve to remind us of the goodness of God (Matthew 16:1-10).. And most importantly, a good will keep us in touch with God, Even if we falter, we will never get rid of the good memories of the past. And believe me, God will use these memories, as a tool, to bring you back to him (Luke 15:12-24).

Go ahead! Day dream! Use those positive moments to bring you closer to your friends, loved ones and especially to your Heavenly Father (James 4:8).

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.