Windshield Or Rear-View Mirror

I was listening to the radio the other day and heard this statment and decided it would make a great topic. How do I live my life...do I live it looking thru the 'windshield' of life or do I spend it looking thru the 'rear-view mirror'??

To be honest, I'm afraid that I spend wayyyy too much time looking back than ahead! Is it because there is safety in looking back, in that it's already done and not 'risky'?? Was it really all that great that I don't want to let it go?? How many times...hundreds of times have I wished that I could just go back to 'those days when...'?? I would honestly be ashamed to say, for myself.

I have some wonderful memories of times spent at Grace, when we were at the YMCA and times were difficult but it was a very pleasant and pleasing time. And to be honest, I miss those days terribly. Simple times, growing times, times of great friendships and great expectations for myself and for those around me. Days when everything was fresh and new and well...exciting!

I had a time while I worked at Palliser...and at Eagle that were days that built wonderful memories and friendships that I truly wish were still active. My friend Tony was still alive and he taught me so much about what it is to be a friend and to be funny and kind and creative and...but Tony is gone. He took his own life and I still wrestle with the 'what ifs'...

And going back some more we had days with Christy and Josh and Ricky and all the crazy things that we did together and the memories that we built. And also Betsy, Genie and Kim and we watched them grow up as well. Lots of memories, lots of regrets, lots of joy, lots of not-so-much joy, but none-the-less days that can only be seen thru the rear-view mirror!

What lies ahead?? What is in the windshield of life?? My Mom and Denise's Mom are both in questionable health, as are my Dad and Step-Mom. All are in their 70's-80's...of course none of us are promised another breath, much-less tomorrow. Thankfully, they are all a part of the "Family" so either tomorrow we will see them here on earth or we'll see them in Heaven on another day!

Our future as a country...a free country with freedoms that were bought with the blood of many brave men and women becomes less and less likely in the days and years ahead. A part of me knows that in the end times the likelihood of a powerful America is questionable at best and it makes me sad to think of this... but I believe it to be true and with the current chaos that is prominent in our government leaders is a terrifying thought. Their leadership skills mirror the stupid, idiotic, anti-God ideals that have been a part of liberal agendas for decades! Pro-life and pro-family ideals and a Biblical world view is being attacked more and more every day--HERE in America! Not just around the world!!

And me? I'm 51 and as I grow older each day, I feel a certain drain of the years gone by and the hopes and fears in my own mind are enough to repell the 'windshield' view of life. I do however look forward to spending Eternity with my Father and Jesus and the Holy Spirit and all those saints that have gone on before me and those whom I know--or at least surmise are headed there as well! I am also excited about meeting some of the 'giants' of the faith that come from my own era-- like Dr. James Kennedy, Bill Bright, Cassie Bernall and a host of others as well as some who are still with us, but that I will never meet in person like Dr. Billy Graham, Chuck Swindoll, Greg Laurie, Dr. James Dobson, Mylon LeFevre and many, many more!

Windshield....Or Rear-View Mirror???? Which will it be??