Some Advice for Those Driving into the Future

Do you ever have flashbacks? Such occasions are generally good ones, when the memories triggered are pleasant, even wonderful reminders of something I enjoyed. The flashback that hit me this week was a bit different but a good one, in retrospect.

It occurred as my Mary and I drove on Interstate 59, headed south for a bit before leaving that byway and turning toward a suburb of Nauvoo, Alabama. As a quick aside before moving to flashbacks, Nauvoo is on the border of Winston and Walker counties. It had a population of 185 in 2020. Just outside Nauvoo is Camp McDowell, the home of spiritual retreats of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. Cursillo is the name of those fabulous gatherings, and Camp McDowell resounds with wonderful and happy hymns during Cursillo. All who attend will have lifelong flashbacks to their experiences there.

Not a bad segue, huh?

As we drove south, it soon became apparent we would overtake both a small sedan and a U-Haul truck, one following the other. I moved to the passing lane and correctly anticipated what I then saw. The wife of what I guessed to be a young married couple was driving the sedan, a bit too closely following her husband as he fought the steering wheel of the U-Haul. Many of us have been in those seats, probably wondering what may lay ahead. It’s likely there was a debate about the size of the truck they rented. Would a 20-footer hold all their possessions, or was a 26-foot truck necessary? This young couple was headed for their future and, based on a quick look as I passed, they had many miles and years ahead of them.

My flashback took me to the times I had been in their shoes and U-Haul seats, and I imagined the thoughts they had about their next destination and beyond were similar to mine every time I had moved.

With every relocation, I wondered: who would my friends be, at work and beyond? Might neighbors be the best ever, like in Mentone, or will we even know each other at all? Will we be successful at our new jobs, challenged and fulfilled? New opportunities may come as a result, so how will that be handled? Are there children in the future and, oh my, can we handle the happiness, the heartache, and the challenges of parenting? Will we be blessed with good health, and what illness and troubles are ahead of us?

In those first journeys to a new house, as well as every subsequent new home, I always wanted to find a church I could love and a church family who would embrace us as God would. There are so many benefits to an active church life, and attending church is good advice for many reasons. In so many places, Scripture tells us not to worry and, while I believe in that, I’ve done too much of it.

But if I could have shared a moment with that young couple I passed on the highway, it might be this: Your troubles always look smaller in your rearview mirrors. They appear to be huge in front of you, but as you get past them, the farther you are from them, the smaller they look. Enjoy the ride. Life is good. Try to make good decisions — the ones that minimize troubles in your path. Don’t borrow trouble, but understand the most important thing: Life is good and you are loved.