Driving has a narrow perspective as the focus is the road and half of your thoughts are of, hopefully, safety. My thoughts are usually all over the place.. taking in the sites, stories I've heard of a particular place, memories from seeing one thing or another, conversations in the car... etc. However, the driver usually sees attractions faster then the others. This does not always include the wondrous.
I've seen all kinds of roadkill. Not the animals in themselves, but the way they've been sprayed against the ground. My mind immediately goes to the most gruesome, because that's just how my mind works. Thankfully I don't remember most of it, just that I couldn't believe how a car or truck could do that much damage.
I think back on some of the instances of my life that my mind instinctively closed itself off and protected my sanity, well, most of it. I have come to the conclusion after all these years that there is a reason for everything. It is such a cliche. However, my observance has found years later I am still learning, shying away, taking in, using what has been put in front of me.
And then there's post-traumatic stress syndrome. There is several periods of my life I do not remember and I don't think I would like to. I am remembering as I mature and grow. Memories pop up in situations that later, I now associate them with lesser traumatic situations.
I believe that God will help us to forget things, the memory of which would do us harm, or rather that He will enable us to remember only so much of them as will be for our good, and we, ourselves, not emotionally overwhelmed. The pain endured. The lesson learned. Let it now be forgotten! Face the future with courage, cheerfulness, and hope. Give God the chance and He will make you forget all that it would be harmful to remember.
-W.E. (William Edwin) Sangster, Westminster Sermons
I had a discussion with a friend where I found out some information I was blinded to. Days before I was thinking about this same person, wrestling with memories and why they were pushing to the forefront of my mind. After praying, I found I was to tell this person I loved them.
Yikes...
I knew I did because of the time we spent together.. but this was years later and we both were in relationships. I knew it wasn't a relationship love... but a we're in God's family together love. A tolerance, I will love you because God loves you love. A forgiving love. This message, knowing the intended person, if the timing was wrong, would take it wrong and the true meaning would be lost. I again prayed that if I was to tell them this, the situation would present itself...
it did...
3 days later, we started chatting during a words with friends game and the conversation turned to where I found out some information I may have, in the past, slashed tires, called in a few favors and given some meaning to, "a woman hath no fury like a woman scorned".
In this instance though, my mind immediately went to 3 days before and I relayed the message. I could hear the sigh of relief from 1000 miles away. I still had questions about the whole relationship, but those are just details and really don't need to be answered. However, my grief and confusion about that particular encompassing relationship was validated which brought peace to both of us.
I tell my kids to listen to my advice and suggestions because I have more miles under my belt, experienced more and that's why I'm so much taller than them... I can see farther. (Although this logic of being taller was tried and crushed much to the disappointment of Thing 2). Too big for your britches
I need to realize this of my own Father in heaven...
Isaiah 55:8-9For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Jeremiah 33:3
Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things,
which you do not know.'
Isaiah 41:10Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
