By Katy Mariotti

Sometimes It’s Good to Look Backward

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11, New International Version

One of my favorite moments from my recent trip to Washington, D.C., happened when we went to the Lincoln Memorial. I’ve always enjoyed it, especially the impressive size of the sculpture and Lincoln’s speeches etched on the walls. I wondered what my children’s reaction would be seeing it for the first time. I was surprised when my daughter pulled out a pad of paper, sat down, and began to sketch Abraham Lincoln. My son quickly followed suit. It was such a neat way to experience it and something I wouldn’t have thought of.

When it was time to leave D.C., instead of talking about all the things we’d seen in museums, or the time we stuck our feet in a fountain and ducks came right up to us, or how cool it was to sit and sketch the Lincoln Memorial, my children mourned what they’d missed out on. Some serious FOMO.

I’ve noticed them doing this a lot lately, even when leaving a playground (“but we didn’t go down the slide this time!”).  And sadly, I’ve noticed that I do it too. “If I have this for dinner, will I be sad I didn’t have that for dinner instead?” “I didn’t take that opportunity because I was busy, but what if it was a great experience?” It even borders on envy sometimes, “This house is great, but when will I live in a house with bigger closets and a real laundry room?”

It’s important to recognize that things happen on God’s time. Scripture says:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 New International Version

God’s timing is just right, and when we look backwards, we can recognize our blessings and all the wonderful ways things have worked out.  Vacation had special moments, dinner was delicious, the house was cozy, and even when times were hard, we had God to lean on to get us through. Hindsight is 20/20, as they say, but we can trust that God’s vision is far better than that, past, present, and future.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.