I just finished moving!  Moving has got to be one of the very worst experiences you ever have to go through in life.  I have moved a handful of times and this is my third move since “being on my own.”  I have moved hundreds of miles in the past but this time I only had to move about 15 miles.  While that made it somewhat easier, it still is not an easy task! 

Since moving into my new house, I have been unpacking box after box after box.  While unpacking the boxes, I came across many things that made me reminisce about many events in my life.  Some of them good and some of them bad.  I came across mementos from accomplishments that I had from school classrooms to athletic fields to music stages and even from church and youth events.  There were photos from all of those days and I enjoyed looking through them.  I also came across many gifts that have been given to me over the years.  Gifts from people that have gone on to Heaven now.  Gifts that came from one time friends who, sadly, are no longer a part of my life.  Gifts from friends and family who are still a part of my life and I love dearly.

My favorite boxes that were full of memories were the boxes full of photographs!  I am fortunate to have many of my mom’s photos dating way back to when my mom and dad were married and when my brother and sisters were born.  While I obviously do not remember those days, it was wonderful to relive the events through the photos and remember the words that mom told me as she told me each of the stories many times.  The photos that I took myself reminded me that I had a pretty awesome childhood!  Many of the photos were birthday parties and vacations and I loved looking at them again.  Throughout my life I have been fortunate enough to visit many wonderful places.  Places like Washington DC, Hershey, PA, the mountains of Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Colorado, Arizona and California just to name a few.  I have also been to Canada and such great cities at Niagara Falls, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.  Two of my favorite memories from the photos were my very first visit to the 1000 Islands.  This has become a favorite destination of mine (which you likely know if you are my Facebook friend) and to see the photos from my first visit (as a young man with my parents) was great!  It seemed that my favorite destination is Gettysburg, PA!  As near as I can tell by my photos, I have been there with 17 different people!  I have been there on day trips and longer vacations.  My first visit was with my parents and my sister when I was about twelve and my last visit was a couple of months ago with a brand new friend!  I still love the little quaint town and the history that it represents. 

I had many photos of me with different people who have passed through my life!  I found a photo of me with two of my singing heroes, Glen Payne and George Younce.  I also found one with another if my musical heroes, Jim Hamill.  I had countless photos of me with other people in Southern Gospel Music.  Those were great photos but my very favorites were those of me with my family (especially with my mom and dad) and with my friends.

Memories are an amazing thing.  Not only did I relive my life through these memories but I also realized something else.  I saw many ups and downs in my life through these memories.  I also saw how God had His hand on me throughout my entire life.  You know, I certainly have not had a mistake free life.  If you have, please contact me because I do not know anyone who has!  I have made mistakes and there were times when I was not paying any attention to what God wanted me to do and I made some epic bad choices and mistakes!  However, you can never get so far from God that He will not welcome you back.  One of my favorite phrases in the Bible is found in Luke 15:17.  This is the parable of the prodigal son and the line says in the NIV version talking about the prodigal son, “when he came to his senses.”  I LOVE that!  How many times have you made a bad choice or sinned and then come to your senses!!!  I have and I am sure you have too!

So, while I have been enjoying going through old photos and remembering my parents and aunts and uncles and even my pets, I have also found a spiritual renewal in all of this.  I cannot remember who said the quote but there is a great quote that I remember hearing once that says; “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” 

Something else that I realized while going through these memories is that I still had a few of those “bad” events in my past that I had not let go!  I immediately got on my knees and asked God to help me get past them!  I was reminded of a song that Kirk Talley wrote and sang many years ago called “Past Your Past.”  It was a powerful song reminding us that God can help you and me get past our past!

So, I encourage you to reminisce a little and remember the good times and the bad times in the pages of your life!  It is very therapeutic and can be quite fun too!  Okay, now I have to get back to unpacking!  Oh, and I am taking volunteers to help!!!!