A Trip Down Memory Lane

I am not a sentimental person, except when I am.  I admit that sounds like I don’t know what I am talking about, and well maybe I don’t.  I’m really not that sentimental, especially when compared to my wife or even her or my family. However, there are some things that really make me nostalgic – and once I begin to venture down memory lane, bring on the sentimentalism. 

This week I had the opportunity to attend a BCM director’s fellowship at the University of Georgia (my alma mater).  The quick back-story is that UGA was not where I initially wanted to attend college.  In fact, of my last three choices, it was dead last, yet in God’s perfect providence, it was not only the right place for me, but also it became my second home.  As I drove on campus 15 years after I initially did as a wide-eyed freshman, it was incredible to think about what God has done in my life and what all I have been able to see and do over the last few seasons of my life.  In addition to not being that sentimental and maybe for fear of it, I am often guilty of not “stopping to smell the roses.”  I think I have a very bad habit of not celebrating things, and in that habit I often act like the Israelites and forget how God has worked.

So in a tip of the cap to being sentimental but more importantly a thank you to the Lord for what He has done in my life and allowed me to live through, I wanted to stop, ponder, and remember.  Maybe it’s time for you to as well.  In your busyness have your forgotten what your life used to look like?  Have you forgotten the blessings God has poured out on you?  I know it’s something I am guilty of and this moment of nostalgia has birthed a thankfulness in my heart.  Here is a list of words that capture some of the memories.  These are just words and it is impossible to list everything, but each represents so much more than just words. 

Small Groups, Wesley Foundation, BCM, Canoing the Chatuga, Camping, Men’s Retreat, Football Games including SEC championship, GA-FLA, Ice Storms, Broken Ankle (Twice), Changing Major (5x), Youth Intern, Dorm on Fire, a couple golf rounds, Basketball Games, Braves Date Night, Move-in help, Downtown loft, then a house, then a townhouse, and then an apartment, hole in head, Scotland Mission Trip, European Adventure, Yellowstone National Park summer missionary, Substitute Teacher, Men’s Soccer League, Southwestern Seminary, Discovering Pappasitos, Uncle Julio’s, , Fuge Camps (Philly, Mobile, Greenville, Asheville), Spin 360 ministries, Texas Rangers Games, some golf rounds, Valet Job, Revival Preaching, Trip to Alaska, Trip to Hawaii, Greek, Hebrew, Turning Hearts Tour, Kennesaw State University/SPSU BCM intern, Beach Reach, Bear’s Best, Master’s visit, Anderson University, MARRIAGE, obtained debt, paid off debt, Key West with Mosaic, Boston, Seattle, Beach Reach again, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Hawaii, Puerto Rico Cruise, Mediterranean Cruise, Biggest Loser, Crossfit, Myrtle Beach move, bought house, sold house, bought house, Crossfit Competition, Pelicans game, infiltrated cult for speech, push starts for the Honda, bought two cars, officiating weddings, salvation of friends, judge for Mr. AU, BCM formal at UGA, West road trip with Elliott, Price is Right, Steinmart, Crossword puzzles is class, all-nighters, 9/11 and aftermath, Chicago, NYC, Red Sox games, secret church, final four in NOLA, 121 community church, mammoth caves, Texas Adventure and Wichita Falls, LA trip, academic team, Green Hills golf course, 4^th spectacular, ski trips, electric peak hike, death of nephew, death of friends, separated shoulder, bear encounter, DNows, discipling guys, braces, marriages of friends, The Bridge, meeting and loving my new framily, sending missionaries all over the world, students becoming disciple-makers…..

The list honestly can keep going, but one thing is certain.  In good times and bad, God is always good. He is always faithful.  He is AWESOME.  The last 15 years have been incredible not because of the cool experiences or things I have been able to do.  They have been incredible because 17 years ago I heard the Gospel preached at Brookwood Baptist Church and God radically changed my life.  He has continued to change my life and will continue to do so.  God does this through people, places, and things and my recent visit to UGA reminded me of so many of these!