oh the memories...

It triggers in my head and I think about all the things that could have been. It brings the scene in my head forefront and center. I can't escape it, yet it needs to remain. Memories are bittersweet. That is what they are enough, memories. Past moments. It is so easy to remain in the past, in the memories, than to face the tomorrow. It needs to be surrendered. It is too hard to let go and move past. A cut that won't heal. A broken heart that won't mend. A trust that cannot be repaired. Once the feelings move along it marks us deeply. Along the way, it also cuts us. Does it make us bleed so we know we are alive? So we know the pain is real and alive still in us?

A memory it now becomes to us. We take them and we decide how they will make us live. But just when it seems to be a distant memory something is triggered. Whether by a friend, song, phrase, or favorite place they come flooding back. Here we are bleeding again. I wish I could say it gets easier, but I bleed as well. Time is a cruel friend during these moments. However, it does take time. The past will slowly move away from that memory, and there will be someone holding you in the end.

Jesus knows about memories and the past. He carried many memories with Him. His actually factually cut Him. He bled more than we could imagine, inside and out. When the pain is the salty tear falling on your lips, Jesus holds you. He holds you tighter than you feel it. When you just want to be by yourself thinking in your moment, He is there holding you. Whatever you need He can give that to you. Words are empty if they are not heart-felt. Hugs are worthless if there is no meaning. Comfort is null and void if there is no hope. Where is the hope we hold to so we can get past the memories? Where should it be?

Hurt is hard to move past. No one ever said sleeping would be comfortable on a bed of nails. Maybe tears are the only thing you want to shed right now. Time moves slowly on down your life. We need to keep in mind despite the emotional mess to pick ourselves up and move forward. We can't move backward. Jesus moved and picked up others along the way. He used His memories for a new road and walked. The past was still right behind Him, but he never looked back. We do.

Memories are triggered and we pause to reminisce. We did get a little further today though. It was a good day. Curses may come with fire, but blessings come with water to put it out. Our hearts will be restored. Someday when we look back we won't pause but continue walking. The journey will scar us and it will be deep at times. God will continue to hold us up. Maybe you need to cry time to time or just sit. Jesus will be with you feeling your pain and helping you move on. We need to let it go and open our hands to His strength. No more past memories that burden us with pain. The tornadoes have come and we need to organize ourselves. Let God take you and carry you. His grace is sufficient.

Memories are a beautiful distraction. So, let us be strong and move past the hard ones. Time can be a bittersweet friend, but God is always good.