Gain understanding from your past to strengthen your future

"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles …"

-- 1 Chronicles 16:11-12

Today I am turning over another page on the calendar.

As I think about the things that lie ahead for this next month, I also take a glance at the things which are behind me now.

I ponder over a few summer memories that cross my mind. I'm sure you have a few of your own.

A recent visit with my 12-year-old granddaughter caused me to take out the photo album. As we turned each page, a piece of family history was revealed to my loved one. I pointed out unfamiliar faces to her. We also laughed and remarked how many family faces, hairstyles and fashions have changed over the years.

Our memory is a great gift! Like any other gift God gives, we have to use it in balance, however, or it can become a detriment to our present and future.

I've oftentimes heard the analogy that a car has a large windshield and a small rear-view-mirror because we are to spend most of the time moving forward, not looking behind us. However a backward glance now and then is necessary. Although we know staying stuck in the past keeps us from moving ahead today, reminiscing from time to time can be a healthy activity.

We can benefit from many of our past mistakes and successes. It can strengthen our self-esteem as we view ourselves as survivors rather than victims. It can tell a story to others as we fill them in on the details of family gifts, abilities, talents and accomplishments. Used in a positive way, it can help us to look at our growth and development as we ponder the life-skills we used to overcome past mistakes.

Gaining strength from our past can strengthen our today and tomorrows as we reminisce over God's miraculous part in our lives.

The biblical psalmist David did this as he reminisced how God helped him defeat the lions and bears during his years as a shepherd. His God-given ability to slay ferocious animals gave him the encouragement to slay the giants in his life.

No one has a past like ours. The more we know and understand about the previous stages of our lives, the more insightful we'll be regarding our present.

Using reminiscing as a learning tool can help us better understand how to relate with others and gain wisdom for what lies ahead.

• Annettee Budzban's new book "Spend a Moment with God" can be ordered through bookstores or online bookstores, or by calling (877) 289-2665.