"Sittin' in the mornin' sun, I'll be sittin' in the evening come. Watchin' the ships roll in, then I watch' em roll away again"
I can remember vividly the first time I heard that Otis Redding song. I was walking down the beach in Florida and someone one was sitting by the waters edge singing. Its one of my favoutrite songs and everytime I hear it it brings back momories of that holiday. Also important to me are many of my childhood memories. my next door neighbour teching me to ride my bicycle, my granda picking me up and setting me on his giant lap, my first day at nursrey school, my first kiss, the time I became a christian, the time I re-dedicated my life to God. I remember leaving home to go to University and I remember arriving in JFK Airport by myself, the summer I did Camp America. I remember that as the plane landed the song 'drops of jupiter' was playing in my ipod
Memories can be so precious and bring so much pleasure. A song, smell or sound can take us back to a place we loved.
Why is it however that looking at my past causes me so often to say "what if" and "if only" I tear my self apart thinking about where I would be if id made different decisions or done things differently. I wrestle with the fact that all my decisions were not guided by the will of God. Thinking of the title of John Pipers book -'Don't waste your life' I panic that I might have wasted time in my life. I know at the age of 24 this sounds silly, but im so determined to make the most of every minute.
Then im reminded of one of the most important things someone ever said to me; 'don't cry over spilt milk, get up and run after the cow. Yesterday is gone, lets move forward, lets take risks, lets seize opportunitites. Lets live for today and dream about tomorrow.
Risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing gains nothing - C S Lewis
Let's try to look back at past memories with a smile, with a tear, lets love it, be thankful for it but lets not regret it.
Lets go on a journey, a journey towards Heaven. Let every minute and hour count.
Lets press on towards the goal for which we have been called heavenward.
