The Good Old Days

I've gotten to the age that I talk about "the good old days". In my mind, I like to relive a time when the outlook of our country and economy was better. I can remember looking to the future, setting goals to accomplish, and seemingly living in the future. Well... the future is NOW. My kids are almost grown, my career is at its peak, and much of the negative outlook from years ago has been filtered out.
When the Jewish remnant was returned to Jerusalem from Babylon the older men could remember what things were like when Solomon's temple was there. The nation was rich, the temple was beautiful, and the presence of God's Shekinah glory was there. Times must have been better before the exile. But if they were better, why were they taken away? Why were they led captive?
Maybe things weren't as good as they remembered. Maybe things weren't really as good as I remember. Attempts to dream and live too far out in the future prevents us from living fully in the present. I am blessed beyond what I deserve with a wonderful family, career, and friends. I pledge to spend less time planning and dreaming, spending more time relishing and molding my present. God will take care of my future with a life beyond my dreams as long as I live my present tucked in His will.

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