Don't Look Back

Let me tell you how I spent my morning...I was a chaperone for my son Jay's 5th grade class to check out the Middle School. As if that wasn't bad enough, Jay informed me that he will be there in 6 months and 10 days! WOW, I was NOT ready for that...

All the kids were so excited - the "tour" of the school was being conducted by some very mature (and happy to be at the top of the "social chain") 8th graders. We saw the cafeteria, the classrooms, the gym, the library, the computer lab, etc. Do you want to know what the kids were most fascinated by?

The lockers...

I remember being totally stressed out about the lockers when I was in Middle School! I could never remember my combination. Even when I did remember it, I couldn't get it open. I eventually figured it out, but I don't have fond memories of the locker.

As I listened to the many electives and clubs that are offered in Middle School these days, I couldn't help but take a trip down memory lane. Which then led me to think how different my life in Middle School would have been if I could go back and do things over. Knowing the things I know now, I would have been a much better student. I would have participated in more clubs, met a wider variety of people, and I definitely would have joined the year book staff and the school newspaper.

Since none of us can go back, the temptation is to live vicariously through our kids. Hopefully I won't try to do that...but I have found myself TRYING to give him all the advice that I wish I would have followed when I was in school.

It's probably not a coincidence that my husband has been hearing this verse from the Lord all week

Phil. 3:13-14 - "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

It's one thing to remember those days in order to give counsel to my son. But it's really not a productive thing to look back with regret.


When I'm old & grey (but hopefully by the grace of God, not too wrinkled, LOL), I want to look back fondly over these years I'm living now. As I have learned from my mistakes, I will hopefully be able to say like Paul,

2 Tim. 4:7 - "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

So, I will let my past serve only as a reminder to live my life now in a way that glorifies God and produces much fruit.

As for lost opportunities, I will forget those things behind that I can't change, and press on toward my future - knowing that as I obey the Lord, it will help guarantee a future without regrets.