“Memories have their purpose, and nostalgia is not a danger in small doses. It can be good to remember what has made us who we are, to reflect on what has made us stronger.” ― Rachel Harrison

Welcome back. Last time we visited was the end of the first month of a brand new year. Now we are off and running in the new month, today being Monday, February 3, 2025. Looking back. Reminiscing. Remembering. These are all things I enjoy doing. Sure. The quote above is well taken. "In small doses". One can be obsessed by the past and as is often said they end up living in the past. None of us can go back and change anything. If I could I certainly would. There have been plenty who have made it clear they have no regrets and nothing to correct or change. Not me! But, at the same time, I didn't get to where I am based on tomorrow. I am the sum total of my lifetime experiences. Some of these are so painful they make me shudder just to think about them. Growing up, my family spent far too much time peering into the caskets of the earthly bodies of our loved ones. If I told you all about these recollections you might easily conclude that it's little wonder I'm as messed up as I am today. You would be correct. However, even in those times of grief and sorrow our family huddled together, made our way forward, and became stronger and closer. Tough times produce tough people. Sounds good. Right? I might have considered myself tough at one time but now tear up at the drop of the hat. (Another dated reference: The idiom "at the drop of a hat" originated in 19th century America. It's used to describe doing something immediately, without delay, or without much thought. The phrase likely comes from the practice of signaling the start of a race or fight by dropping a hat or sweeping it downward. This custom may have been Irish. For example, you might say "We were ready to pack our bags and go on vacation at the drop of a hat". ) Enough of this for now. I will have much more to share going forward. And, unless you have wondered, this looking back is a major theme of my musings and I you should know I do not go back to see if I am repeating myself. Why? Because I'm pretty sure I am.

I also returned to this blogging venture in hopes that it will help to keep my mind functioning. I put a period there because if I attempted to call out a level I most certainly would have some to argue with my effectiveness. I used to tell my staff that if they didn't set any targets or goals they were sure to hit them every time. My guess is there are some of them still pondering that one. But, I am serious about trying to operate at the best I can be at the age I have achieved. I will not list for you the ways in which I know I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer anymore. That's right. At one time I might have offered some proofs trying to argue that point. Not anymore. I will share this one. Nothing grabs hold of you like when you know you are right only to find out you are completely wrong. I don't need the directions because I know exactly where that is located. Wow! This is not the correct address at all. I may have accomplished good mileage and good timing but what good does it do if you don't get to the right place? I wish I could say that was someone else's experience, but, yes, that's my hand in the air. It's me, it's me, it's me oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer. Therefore, I will leave it at 'to keep my mind functioning'. Now where did I lay my glasses? 

Well, as they say, a good time was had by some. As Willie Nelson postulated in the song he wrote, "My, Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away?" To that I say, you can sing it again brother. Time. God gave it to us for a reason. Here's what Brother Moses left to us:

 

Psalm 90

A Prayer of Moses the man of God.

1)Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
2)Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

3)You turn man to destruction,
And say, “Return, O children of men.”
4)For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it is past,
And like a watch in the night.
5)You carry them away like a flood;
They are like a sleep.
In the morning they are like grass which grows up:
6)In the morning it flourishes and grows up;
In the evening it is cut down and withers.

7)For we have been consumed by Your anger,
And by Your wrath we are terrified.
8)You have set our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.
9)For all our days have passed away in Your wrath;
We finish our years like a sigh.
10)The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11)Who knows the power of Your anger?
For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.
12)So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

13)Return, O Lord! How long?
And have compassion on Your servants.
14)Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
15)Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us,
The years in which we have seen evil.
16)Let Your work appear to Your servants,
And Your glory to their children.
17)And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands. (NKJV)

 Okay. That does it for today. Know that God cares. May He add His blessings. Amen.