Looking Back In Order To Look Ahead

Dear Byron,

Last evening GGMa Sylvia and I were looking at some old VCR tapes (ever hear of those?) of our grandchildren, former Christmas gatherings and a trip to Alaska—all over 20 years ago. My, my, how we have all changed. And what wonderful memories came flooding back, a few of the benefits of living into one's senior years. 

But what youngsters we are compared to how long people lived before the great Flood. Adam lived 930 years, his son Seth 912, Jared 962 and Methuselah 969 (Genesis 5:1-32). That's a long, long time. My father lived only a few months past his 78th birthday. I'll probably outlive him. I've already celebrated my 78th birthday and am considered an "old man."

Out of curiosity I asked myself what the world might have been like if I had been born 950 years ago. Given my lack of any noble ancestors—at least to my knowledge—I would have been born in a peasant family in a feudal system in Europe, maybe even England. My father might have been skilled in some trade and I would apprentice to learn the same. We would owe allegiance to some Lord and be expected to pay taxes to him.

In the eleventh century, in my youth, people would still be talking about why the world did not end in the year 1,000 as so many had predicted, much as we now hear people predicting some similar disaster in the year 2012. We would also hear many stories about William, former Duke of Normandy, and how he became William the Conqueror and King of Britain. 

By the time I would be 15 years, Pope Gregory VII would declare the Papacy as being over both the church and the state—in fact the entire world. This didn't sit right with the Emperor, but eventually the Pope prevailed.

So much for the brief history lesson. I'm trying to imagine what it would have been like to live on through the middle-ages, as they were called, the Renaissance, the Reformation era, the discovery of America, the rise of scientific thought, etc., etc. It is overwhelming.

And then I'm wondering how you, GGMa (assuming she also lived this long) and I would ever keep track of our children, our children's children, their children and so on for what, 36 plus generations. We surely couldn't have them all over for Christmas dinner and we wouldn't have video tapes of what that great multitude had done, where they had gone and how many children they'd all had.

Regardless of how long you live, remember that family records, photos and memories are very important. Obviously Noah took all those records of his ancestors with him as he, his wife and his three sons and their wives boarded the ark. Many are the lessons available to us as we ponder our past, many are the blessings.

You find out soon enough, Byron, that it is easy enough to be overwhelmed with worry and anxiety at all stages of life—even when you are quite young. Looking back helps us to gain perspective, but looking back particularly on the recorded history of God's people in the Bible is extremely helpful. Looking back helps us to look ahead with confidence and faith in our loving Father. Psalm 77 helps us worriers to gain perspective.

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
   yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
   and meditate on your mighty deeds (Psalm 77:11-12).

Dear Grandson, remember the importance of what I say. And keep looking back so that you will have the courage to face today and the hope that tomorrow will bring.

With love,

GGPa Al