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Our oldest grandchild has become a young lady now and it is hard for me to grasp the reality that she is in college and working a job. But there are still a few of her old toys around, including a Radio Flyer red wagon that Gale and I bought for her when she was a toddler; that thing was a back saver when we took her to Mule Days and pulled her in it while we walked for miles enjoying our time together. And her old tricycle survived and has become a source of fun for Mallory’s four year old sister. When I saw Raegan riding that old the tricycle a few days ago, I thought about the pedal car we had as kids. The tricycle is all plastic except for the pedals and axle which are made of steel. On the other hand, our old pedal car from over half a century ago was all steel except for the rubber covering over the pedals. Things change a lot over time; I sure wish I still had that car!

As Raegan scooted around on that old three wheeled vehicle, I noticed that the front wheel did not have much traction. Being made of plastic and having been ridden by a lot of kids over the years the wheel was worn and slick. As I pondered how to increase the traction I arrived at my usual solution—put duct tape on it. Duct tape, epoxy, and zip ties have made me into a hero in the eyes of our grandkids! I stretched two rounds of the wonder-working tape around the wheel and off she went with a lot less effort. That brought another memory of childhood as I recalled a sliding board that we had. We would rub it down with wax paper and get a swift ride down that metal board. It is absolutely amazing that all five of us survived with all our limbs intact and that our mother was able to maintain her sanity through those growing up years in the country where there was so much to explore.

It can be of benefit to take time to reflect on days and events long gone by, especially when we do so for the purpose of giving glory to God for His abiding presence and unsurpassed goodness. We do not need to live in the past, but recollection of old memories helps us to appreciate how, with God’s help, we have endured and grown while traveling along the path of life. At a time of victory and joy for Israel during the reign of King David, the king reflected on the goodness of God as he penned a psalm of thanksgiving that included these words: “Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced” (1 Chronicles 16:12, New International Version).

Not only is reflecting upon Who God is and what He has done a means to make us more grateful unto Him, but it can serve to help us find our way back to Him when we drift away. Through the temptations that are some prominent in this life, we sometimes find ourselves moving away from Him rather than nearer to Him. In those seasons He has His ways of reminding us of His desire for us to return wholeheartedly back to Him. The Old Testament Book of Hosea gave these words to ancient Israel, God’s people, that still speak strongly to us today—both to us as individuals and to our sin stricken nation: “Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall! Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him: Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips” (Hosea 14:1-2).

There are a lot of things to reflect upon regarding life. The greatest of them all is remembering the goodness of God. If you have drifted away from God now is the perfect time to remember His goodness and return to His path of righteousness.