Using Hindsight

(Proverbs 4:3 KJV)  For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

Solomon is looking back and remembering through rose colored glasses.  At this point the memory must be hazy and full of unpleasantness as well as warm fuzzies.  He is focusing on the glory of being the son of David, who was special in God’s eyes.

Have you ever thought about the past and said to yourself, “If only I had known.”  It really doesn’t matter what it is you think would have helped, there is a tendency to think that we could have had a better now if we had followed a different path then.  I know when she is in a certain mood my wife likes to ask me “If you had it to do over, would you marry me again?”

Obviously we cannot change the past.  We cannot change the present.  What we can do is live the now in such a way that when we look back we can believe we did the best we could.

So?  Looking back can be pleasant or frustrating.  Remember that when you make decisions today.  Twice in the KJV we find this reminder.

(Ephesians 5:16 KJV)  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

(Colossians 4:5 KJV)  Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

I pray we will all get better at this.