Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

Ecclesiastes 7:10

I have been known to wax poetic about the “good ol’ days.” I love to think about how much “simpler” life was and how much happier I was. Was I really happier, though? Were things really better?

Not all our memories are happy ones. I’m sure you have had some sleepless nights remembering the way things were.

At the same time, God was there through all of it. It was He who brought you peace. It was He who gave you strength and courage to face your trials head-on. He will also be there in the future! It is OK to think about the past with fondness and joy. It can give us comfort and peace to do so. At the same time, remember that God is in your grace-filled present and future, too!

Jeremy Klaustermeier
Warrenton, MO

Lord, help me to remember that every moment in my life is filled with You so that I may have true and lasting peace. Amen.

Reflect: Get out some old photo albums to look at and then start a new photo album with recent pictures.

Read: Romans 5:1-11 and James 1:2-18