“The business of life is the collecting of memories.”* If we are to have memories to collect we have to make them. When we are young we are way too busy, we give little thought to memory making. There is no time. We have so much energy to use we cannot waste it sitting about reminiscing. Birthdays are stepping stones to adult privileges. Each candle is twelve months closer to one’s driver’s license. Each diploma or degree is one step closer to the fulfillment of a career. Somewhere in the middle of it all we begin attending alumni weekends and begin sentences with “Do you remember.” Photo albums become the treasures we would rescue from a burning building.
If one is to build a good life one must build good memories. If we are to look back to a fraternity of friends we need to make friends along the way. If when we look back we see enemies, most likely we had something to do with making them. However, that is not always so. Enemies happen. We cannot control other’s feelings or reactions. Occasionally we give offense and don’t even know it. I wish I could say we were in complete control but alas that is not the case.
It is a wonderful thing that Jesus forgives our transgressions. But how much better had we not transgressed. If life is about collecting memories, and it is, we can craft the major portion by making good decisions. If we are ever in doubt regarding a decision the best bet would be to choose what God instructs. He’s been around a while. He knows. Listening to the smartest being in the room is the smartest thing to do. It makes for good memories.
*Herb Gardner – “I’m not Rappaport”
Written by Roger Botthwell on January 22, 2014
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwll.org