As we walked through the antique store; it was as though walking through a history book and someone’s old memories. There was a variety of random things sitting on shelves, hung against walls and packed full bookcases that seemed to encase every amount of space available. Though it never looked like clutter; just things from a different time, etched into random spots, waiting to be remembered again. Though as we walked forward, something caught my eye and stopped me from going farther. It was an old music box that was opened to showcase the beautiful ballerina inside. I had to stop as I was captivated by it; for it brought back a similar memory of my own. For when I was a young girl, I had one that looked very closely to that. Sadly, mine had broken many years ago and I remember being so upset that my ballerina was broken. For something about its sweet melody that it played and the way she danced in a circle always made me feel a sense of peace and comfort. We walked further on and while I was distracted by something else entirely; my husband tapped me on my shoulder getting my attention. He showed me old CD tracks of a Christian Bible show he knew that I loved as a kid. They were very expensive back then and we could not afford them when I was young. However, my best friend had a bunch of them and we always listened to them every night when we would have sleepovers. I always looked forward to it. We also came across many beanie babies and I remember how much I enjoyed collecting and playing with them. I still have a good handful in storage, up in our attic. I couldn’t ever seem to get rid of them, too many good memories. Antique stores have a way of making us feel nostalgic. Though not everyone enjoys antiques; I think most will agree that from time to time, they find themselves reminiscing about a time long ago that brought them joy. Though I am talking about material things, it was less about the material and more about the positive memory attached to it. Maybe that’s another reason why I enjoy antiques so much. Good memories are like stars, that although we can no longer touch them and they are far away; they still seem to shine in our lives, decorating them with beauty.

   Friend, life is in a constant motion. How quickly the present moves, and before we know it, it becomes a memory. Then we find ourselves looking back at certain times in our life, that swiftly went by. We catalogue them in our minds and in our hearts; and then something will trigger a special memory and we will think of it fondly. Though not every memory in our lives is one we want to think of or ones we could have controlled. What we do have is the capability to create as many wonderful memories in the here and now as we are able to and make the most of all the good that God has given us. For when we walk though the history book of our minds; what kind of memories are we creating to leave there? For though we cannot always control the hard; there is so much good that we can. As we walk through memory lane, may we thank God for all the good that He has blessed us with. May we walk with Him, as we create more things in our present, that will make us smile in our tomorrow. May we live a life as He has called and enjoy all in which we are given.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 NIV

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them- for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability in their toil-this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.