A Time for Reflection

Do you set aside time in your week just to reflect on what is going on in your life or are you going at such a fast pace that the time flies by and you wonder what happened to it? Sometimes you have to create the time but, in my case, this weekend, the time was created for me.

I took a trip down to Melbourne, Florida this past weekend to visit with and play some golf with friends of mine I used to golf with every week when I lived there. I was expecting a busy weekend of fellowship, golf and even my first try at pickleball. It was a crazy chain of events that took place, starting with my clubs not making it on my flight with me. Luckily, the airline brought them to the hotel the next morning before I was scheduled to play golf. That was the first answered prayer. The weather forecast had changed drastically from a couple of days prior and there were major thunderstorms in the area. Neither did the person working at the clubhouse at the golf course or we thought we could get in a full 18 holes without getting rained out. The storms moved a little off to the side of us and then dissipated. We did not get wet at all. Answered prayer number two!

Not a lot of reflection going on so far, but bear with me. Sunday morning, we met up with some of Daryl’s friends to play pickleball. I have played a lot of tennis, but this was going to be my first try at the latest craze on the courts. I was planning on pickleball in the morning and then another round of golf in the afternoon. Other than some wind, it was going to be a beautiful day. I was doing great, and they said I picked up the game like I was a natural, until…………. I do not know how it happened, because I was not going after a tough shot, but I stepped wrong and rolled my ankle. So much for physical activity the rest of the day.

Time to reflect. I had gone on a 4 mile walk on the beach before golf on Saturday and had a lot of time to reminisce about my past. I had walked many miles on these beaches when I lived down here, and many memories popped into my head. There were many fond memories, and some, not so much. Isn’t that the story of our lives? We have fond memories and things we wished we had never experienced. When I think about it, though, it is all of those experiences over my 60+ years that have shaped me into who I am today. I strive to continually become a better person.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

I cannot rewrite history, but I can learn from it. I am thankful for a patient God who is with me always and is molding me the way He wants me to be. It puts everything into perspective when I take time to reflect. I have a very blessed life! Yes, it has its ups and downs, but none of us has had it easy 100% of our lives. I encourage you to take time from your busy schedule to just reflect on your past. How has it formed you into who you are today. Are you getting closer in your relationship with Jesus each passing year? If not, now is the perfect time to grow that relationship.