People always talk about the “good old days,” but in my first days as a Christian, I tortured myself with thoughts of the days I had wasted without Christ. I lamented over the wrong decisions I had made. How much more productive and worthwhile would my life have been if He had been in my life?

I had learned to turn to the scriptures for comfort when I was troubled, and one day in such a mood, seeking answers I opened my bible.

The words of the Apostle Paul jumped out at me as I read in Philippians 3:10: “But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Saint Paul was telling me to put aside the burden of my sinful past and to keep working towards the promised life that Christ bough for me by shedding His blood on the cross.

I have a Christian for 25 years, and that scripture is still so precious to me. It reminds me that all my sins, past, present and future, are completely forgiven as I yield myself in repentance to Christ. Now, instead of the temporal and inconsequential things of life such as status and possessions that consumed me in the “good old days,” I cherish the many little miracles of life: the peonies that bloom in my years without fail each year; the tiny voice of my grandson saying, “I love you, Grandma,” my husband’s warm and familiar touch, and the joy I experience as I sing the hymns of praise with my church family during services.

And it’s wonderful to anticipate each new season, as, growing older, I look joyously to the life that lies ahead of me some day in heaven with our Lord.

Salvation Song

I was lame and mute
crippled in body, mind and spirit
before you came

like the woman in the bible
my back was bowed stiff
I could not straighten up
nor lift my head

I could not bend low
to cultivate or pick
the lovely flowers in
my garden

I walked painfully and could
meet no one’s glance
then you came and touched me
and healed me in every way
I leap for joy and dance
To lilting melodies in
My heart

I have opened all the windows
To let the sunshine in
My house is sweet scented now
I just want you to know what
You have done for me

I can listen to love songs that
Used to make me cry
I sing them all to you now
You healed me with your touch
I can throw away my crutch
All of them in fact

Thank You