The Statlers were mostly recalling the memories of younger days: school days. I was able to sing along with part of the song and perfectly able to remember most of the memories recalled in the song. With the sermon being fresh and the song still playing in my mind, I began to do my own version of "remembering these" in my life. I thought I would share a few of those thoughts in the hopes that they trigger fond memories of your own. Mind you, I went to a small high school, so my memories may not parallel yours.
Do you remember your first real crush? I think that I was a lot like Charlie Brown with his "little red haired girl". I'm pretty sure I didn't have the courage to tell her how I felt. If I said anything to her at all, it was probably mean. After all, a boy doesn't want a girl to really believe that he likes her. My first crush was MFL and, after all these years, I still have a bit of a crush on the girl I knew in 4th grade.
How about your first passionate kiss? Thank goodness for co-ed Methodist summer camp. I met Libby at camp for middle school aged kids. I have no clue what she saw in me, but I knew she was cute and seemed to like being with me. From the 2nd day, we spent every moment that we could together. She was a school grade ahead of me and, therefore, much more bold and experienced! If it was up to me, we would have never gotten past the holding hands stage. She proved to me that girls probably really were more fun than playing football. By today's standards, I don't think I would have made first base on a weak infield single, but every time I think of her, my lips still tingle. That summer, not only did I learn how to identify poisonous snakes and make lanyards, I learned that girl parts were different than boy parts and was ever thankful for the education. I found out that girls are softer, smell better, and later found out that they also have wonderfully unique minds and thought processes.
How about the first time you showed up to join some athletic team or school activity? All those other kids looked so much bigger or smarter or better. At a small high school, of course everyone was able to participate. If you could walk and breathe at the same time, you were able to wear a baseball uniform or be assigned a band instrument. My high school didn't teach calculus and only taught two foreign languages, but I knew everyone and where they lived. I cruise the old neighborhood sometimes even now doing what I like to call "chasing ghosts". It still brings back great memories.
It wouldn't be fair to the work that my pastor did in reminding me of memories if I didn't mention the first time I knew that God was real and loved me. I grew up in church, but I can readily mark the time I first knew the love of God. I went with the Methodist Youth Fellowship of my church to a Billy Graham Crusade in Charlotte. I went more just to be going than for any other reason. Once he started preaching, I couldn't get Billy Graham out of my ears, eyes, and mind. At the end of the sermon, there was an altar call. Hundreds, maybe thousands, went forward to accept Christ. We were all standing and I was holding on the the back of the chair in front of me as if my life depended on it and, in reality, it did. I was determined that I wasn't going to let go of that chair and walk forward, especially in front of all those people and, even more, in front of my friends. God wouldn't let me not come to Him. Going forward didn't immediately change me to a better person, but it changed me for life.
Well, that's just a very few of my memories. I hope that this inspires you to find a quiet place to listen to the music that you used to love, to visit the places that created those memories, and to thank those who helped make the memories and you more of what you are today.
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