This has been a bit of a rough week. For those of you who do not know, I have been recovering from wisdom teeth extraction. I can honestly say that it is not as bad as I had built it up in my head. If anything, the toughest part was being hungry all the time because of the restrictions of what I could and could not eat. Anyways, as most people tend to do, I recorded myself just after the extraction. I won’t be sharing it on any social media, but just know that it’s pretty funny.

            In the video, there were probably three things that stuck out to me. The first and most obvious one is that I seem to be pretty chill when drugged. This stood out to me because you never really know what you will be like in these kinds of situations. The second was my vivid recollection of the dream I had the night prior to my surgery. Even though I was quite groggy, it amazes me how I am able to remember such a short and simple dream. Lastly, something that stood out to me was a simple yet great quote to live life by. Anyone who watches the video may label it as the ravings of a drugged woman. However, there is truth in what I said.

            Mind you, I was extremely groggy from the anesthesia at the time. To this day, when I try to recall the moments of the car ride home, I can barely remember bits and pieces of it. What I mostly remember is my head feeling heavy and that id I made any sudden movements I would easily get dizzy. So, the following script is the short conversation between me and my husband after I looked towards the back of the car while he was driving.

Me: “Ok, don’t look back.”

Chad: “Don’t look back?”

Me: “Yeah.”

Chad: “Why?”

Me: “Cuz the world spins that way. You gotta keep looking forward.”

            Again, these would be seen as the ramblings of a woman who just got out of surgery…and they are. However, during this past week, I caught myself thinking about my past. Who I used to be and all the things that led me to where I am now. The more I thought of my past, the more upset I got. As humans, we tend to remember the bad things more than we think of the good things in our lives. That’s what I was doing. I was remembering all the bad and losing focus on all the good in my life.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” – Philippians 4:8

            By looking at my past, I was losing the value of who I am today. I am nowhere near perfect, but I can honestly say that I am a better person today than I was yesterday. That is all thanks to the love and grace of God. A God who leads us FORWARD. Yes, the past is a part of who we are, but we are no longer that same person. With God in our lives, He helps us become better each day. That is where our focus should be…on Him.

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” – Colossians 3:1-3

            In Florida, it is a common occurrence to see rain clouds in the back of your car and a beautiful blue sky up ahead as you drive. Rather than look back at those rain clouds, keep driving forward to the serenity of that blue sky. And even if it is the other way around, where the blue skies are behind you and you seem to be getting closer and closer towards the storm, just know this. Every storm has an end. These storms may be light to violent or even short to long, but there is always an end. As Christians, we have the assurance that whatever the end maybe, we will get to spend eternity with Christ in heaven. This may be the only life we know right now, but life with Him will be even greater.

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” – John 14:2-3

            We need to let go of our past and keep looking forward. Stop blaming things that happened in the past for any present misfortunes. Stop blaming things that people did to you in the past for things you can or can’t do. The past is the past. Leave it there. Keep your eyes forward… on God. He is leading us to a better place. One day we will get to see the beauty of heaven as long as we keep our faith in Christ. In order to do that, learn to let go of the past and only look forward.

“The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” – Isaiah 58:11