“Memories light the corners of my mind; misty water colored memories of the way we were.”

The words to this Barbara Streisand song tell a very true story. We all have wonderful memories that we keep tucked in the recesses of our mind. They remind us of the good times; the times we laughed and cried until we couldn’t stop; those days when life was simpler, easier and untarnished by the shroud of darkness.  They all seem so long ago.

Sometimes we choose to forget those recollections.  I tend to do that.  My memory is still intact, but I seem to be able to erase some of the bad stuff. When people remind me of those times, they’ve been deleted like a computer when it crashes. I think it’s a self-preservation attribute that God places in us to protect us from the pain of recalling. On the other hand, those past memories can become baggage that we carry for with us forever.

We need not wallow in  times of distress, but rather we should take the lessons we learn and move on.  I truly believe that everything that comes our way has already been ordained by God. He alone can wash away our wrongdoings.  He alone can bring us out of the depths of despair.  He alone will bring something good out of the bad.

It would seem He has His work cut out for Him right now.  The world is a mess, but this isn’t the first time.  Over and over again, our mistakes – our words – our feelings and our fears can eat away at us and bring us back into that dreaded pit.

It doesn’t have to be that way. When God sent His perfect Son to live among us, He gave us the most perfect gift.  He alone can give us hope for the future.  He alone can fill broken hearts and empty arms.  He alone will welcome us into heaven.  When He took away our sin, He took all the bad memories too. In His eyes, we are washed clean and the evil in our hearts since birth is also forgotten; even the things that we keep hidden from others.

Praise, thanks and honor to the one who loves us unconditionally.  Through Him we are works in progress on our way to paradise.