Smack dab in the Memories

“Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.”  Ezekiel 16:60 NIV

Recently I visited Lakeside again and shared the memories of this place with my friend.  Lake Erie was beautiful as we watched the sunset and the sunrise on the pier.  Lakeside was where Annual Conference was held each June for the Methodist Church.  When I was a teenager, I was a youth delegate to the Conference.  It was where I was ordained as a pastor.

As I walked the streets of Lakeside, memories of the past filled my heart and mind. As we walked past where the fountain used to be, I was “smack dab” into the memory of a fifteen-year-old playing frisbee over the fountain with the Bishop.  We walked by the steps that lead into Hoover Auditorium, and I was “smack dab” into the memory of standing on these steps for the photo of my class before we were ordained.  We walked by the house where I had stayed each year, and the memory of my ordination party on that porch flooded my mind.  I was “smack dab” into the past.  I could visualize all the people and relive the moments of that awesome day.

Smack dab means to be exactly in that place.  Right at the moment to be precisely present.  It is to be in the middle of.  Places that we have experienced in the past bring back memories.  These memories become alive and vivid within us when triggered by being in the actual place or a similar experience or feeling.  For me, Lakeside brought back wonderful and very powerful memories of pivotal events of my life.  I remembered people, experiences, and relationships that are now just memories in my heart.  It was a joy to share these stories and to remember God’s blessings on my life.

But what if you find yourself “smack dab” in the middle of a place or situation that triggers a memory of pain or trauma?  You go to the hospital to visit someone, and you are smack dab into the memory of the death of your spouse and those intense emotions.  You go to the nursing home, and you remember your dear friend being in the same place.  Your mind goes back to that moment in the past and you relive the experience and the loss. 

You find yourself smack dab in the midst of the pain, hurt, sadness, and a terrible day.  Do you give in to the emotions and throw the whole day away?  Memory is a gift from God.  We enjoy the happy and pleasant memories and try to let the bad ones fade. It is giving yourself permission to feel the hurt and sadness and pain but not to stay in it.

While I was at Lakeside, I remembered being young and beginning my call into ministry.  I was excited at the time.  I remembered my dreams for ministry and what I thought my ministry career would be.  Now as I walked the streets of Lakeside, I realized my journey has been different than those early dreams.  Different is not bad, it is just different. I took different paths, but God has used me smack dab wherever I was.  I have learned to be smack dab in God’s Presence wherever I am.

So you may be smack dab in emotions you do not want to feel again.  You feel the loss, sadness, grief, changes, and a different chapter of life.  God has you smack dab in the midst of today.  What if you gave today a chance and you focused on the good of today?  The blessings instead of the mess.  You trusted God more and worried less.  You found something that made you smile.  You gave yourself permission to experience the memories and were grateful for the adventures and the relationships.

Sometimes you may prefer being anywhere else than where you currently are physically and emotionally.  The past memories seem to be better and less stressful than your current situation.  Remember, God was with you in the past even if you did not recognize His Presence. And the same God is smack dab in the middle with you in this current day.  He promises to always be with you.  God is right beside you.  God loves you right where you are no matter how you feel.  God allows you to remember because He wants you to be assured, He walked with you as a youth and continues to walk with you now.  God has never let go of your hand.

So, when you find yourself smack dab in the mess of today, focus on God’s presence.  He will comfort you in the sorrow of yesterday, give you hope for tomorrow, and most importantly, fill you with His Holy Spirit who gives you strength and encouragement for today – smack dab where you are!!