An old picture of our farmhouse front porch
Today I saw a post on Instagram about being nostalgic and it got me thinking about
how we long for the "old days."
I look at that picture of the old front porch and it makes me remember the years we spent there,
raising boys, feeding horses, working on the land and barns and fields of rye grass, year after year.
We've all grieved a bit over those years, but then I thought about where we are now
and boy...I wouldn't miss any of this for anything.
The many years past that old farmhouse have brought us wisdom,
learning from mistakes, 7 grandchildren, 2 beautiful daughters,
job experience, life experience
and knowledge we could have only gained
through trials and hard times.
Our children have grown, we've grown and our lives are moving in good
directions.
Do we have regrets?
Of course.
But even those regrets have taught us how to live in the present and
the future.
I look at all of us now and I see my boys building their business, helping others,
raising families, loving their wives and children and being good providers.
I watch my daughter-in-loves being good mommies and cooking amazing meals,
serving others, loving their people so well and I'm so grateful we are here to watch
their lives flourish.
I see my marriage still going strong after
storms, moves, job loss, health issues and other hardships
and I'm proud of us for loving each other through all of it.
I learned a new skill last week, as my son taught me how to
record my books and use the computer technology that I usually try to avoid.
This is a big, growing step for me and I'm excited to learn and grow.
I went back to work after 32 years of not working.
I learned new things that I can take into the future.
Life is still moving forward and if I did nothing but look back all the time,
I would miss all of this.
Being nostalgic is fun, but living life and
moving forward on the journey God has for you...
even better.
What about you?
Are you stuck in the memories of the past
or are you growing and learning and gathering nuggets for the future?
It's definitely something to think about.
Until Next Time...
Blessings!
Great post! It's fun to look back and remember those "good old days" but then look at the good days we are now having!
ReplyDeleteMari, yes! I love those great memories and I love dreaming and heading into the future, as well.
Delete😊
ReplyDeleteI just posted about nostalgia. This hit home!
Hi Sandi! I'm glad you could relate :)
DeleteYou are so right, if we wax over the past we miss what is happening right now. Someday I imagine these will be the good old days.
ReplyDeleteThis is me Debbie.
DeleteHi my friend! We have so many blessings right in front of us and we don't want to miss any of it :)
DeleteThis is so encouraging!
ReplyDeleteMrs. White, thank you for stopping by today :)
DeleteThis post was a blessing to me. I'm in that middle ground phase, where I have one daughter who has moved out, gotten married and has a baby, but I also have a twelve year old. So sometimes its sad and hard for me to see life move on, but most of the time I'm just really thankful for the days I have in front of me!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I would love to have experienced living in a farmhouse! We have had chickens for years, and we had goats for about a year before. My daughter has grown up riding horses but we certainly don't have any of our own. I bet those were some great memories :)
I'm so glad I found your blog, I can't wait to follow!
Stacy, I'm so glad you stopped in today! Those memories are great ones, but yes...sad when the kids start moving out and growing up. Those are such precious times. But you will have many more years of adding to the bunch and it just gets better and better :)
DeleteLovely post. The past was beautiful and so many memories. The future is memories in the making.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I love that thought! We are making memories, day by day.
DeleteEvery now and then something will trigger memories of life with my ex - especially so many years of wonderful married and family life. After 30 years to have someone change so much was really difficult. Not only the grief of divorce but of losing someone so important in my life since I had been a teenager. And I think of all the pain I was put through and all the strength I had to find. And I feel grateful for it all. Not only that I can remember those good times fondly. But that all I was put through made me who I am today. I'm so proud of myself and the strength I found, how it brought me closer to the Lord and my faith, and how much I've grown in these past years. Not to mention being led to the most wonderful husband and best friend in Matt. I believe God has us where we are meant to be. Blessings dear Debbie. 💗🙏🏻
ReplyDeleteCarrie, every time I see you post about your love for Matt and what a great life you're living now, I just think of how blessed you are, even with all the hardship that got you to this point. Life is a journey, for sure, but one thing never changes...God. Many more blessing to you and the life you're building.
DeleteThe circumstances of my life have brought change whether I like it or not - and now in my late 50s I embrace it. I think you do an amazing job of focusing on the good things amid changing circumstances - I watch many people getting older and remaining bitter or stubbornly refusing change - which leaves them miserable. I pray I will continue to look for the good in new chapters!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement :) Sometimes life is heavy and hard and it takes some intentionality to see the good that's going on at the same time. But we can always find something, if we look for it. Even if it's just a friend showing up or a funny moment in the waiting room. God will show up in the tiniest of ways.
DeleteI totally agree....I loved everything about my growing up days and I still love the old antiques and porch rocking in old chairs, but life isn't made to just sit still. We have to keep moving forward, making new things that our families will look back on one day and love, just as we love the things of days past. Great post!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shug :) Well said.
DeleteI pray that God is helping me move forward. The past - with its regrets, challenges, victories and beautiful memories - is, well, the past. I am responsible for today and I hope that I can steward today/this season wisely. Thanks for the perspective. And kudos for learning new things. And doing new things. Happy Saturday to you -
ReplyDeleteI think that's what it's all about, Jennifer. Learning and growing and moving forward with the Lord.
DeleteBeautiful memories to look back on.
ReplyDeleteLove the picture of your porch.
Thank you :)
DeleteI think we all look back...wishing you a beautiful Saturday evening, my friend.
ReplyDeleteWe do and that's ok, as long as we don't camp out there :)
DeleteAs it's been nearly 5 years since the loss of my late husband, looking back is not a good thing for me right now. But at the same time, I have looked back enough to recognize good lessons out of experience.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I love the way you put that. There are blessings and lessons and just sweet memories that we need to hold close and hopefully let go of all the other stuff.
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