Making Memories

Malachi 3:16-17

Call me sentimental, but some tunes really send me reeling. And nobody—I mean nobody—does it any better than Barbra Streisand. Her rendition of “The Way We Were” is pretty close to the ultimate in my book. Remember the words? “Memories . . . light the corners of my mind . . . .”

I don’t know what Streisand thinks of when she sings those words, but I know what Swindoll thinks of when he hears them. I think of the lovely teenage girl I married in ’55. I think of the paths we’ve walked together, the smiles and laughter we’ve shared, the pain we’ve endured, the decisions we’ve made, the places we’ve lived, the four children we’ve reared . . . yes, especially them. How brightly they light the corners of my mind!

Memories . . .

Those misty, watercolor memories take me back to birthday parties, afternoon picnics, vacation trips, school projects, ball games, graduation excitement, quiet talks, and long walks in the woods. Yeah, those are the memories time can never erase.

Sometimes it seems that things were so much simpler then. Yes, in many ways I think they were. Just pack the kids in the ol’ station wagon, lock up the house, and head for family camp. We did that year after year after year.

Memories . . .

There are times this bride of mine and I glance back over our shoulders and ask each other some pretty gutsy questions. Like, “If we had the chance to do it all again, would we?” You bet. “Could we?” No doubt. Fact is, we still do. We’re still building . . .

Memories . . .

And we’ve noticed that our married kids are starting to do the same thing. And why not? Summer isn’t summer for a Swindoll unless it includes a week (or more) of time away from the hassle and the heat, investing ourselves in the lives of a few folks who love the same things . . . who realize if you don’t take the time, you won’t have the stuff which makes life bearable, like . . .

Memories . . .

Want to have something meaningful to look back on for the rest of your life? Want a scrapbook of scattered pictures filled with smiling faces? Do yourself and your family a favor. Paint some watercolor memories together this summer . . . or fall . . . or winter . . . or spring.

People who do that are not just sentimental . . . they’re smart.

Tomorrow’s memories come from today’s decisions.