Looking Back

I have been reading the Psalms this week and something has jumped out at me as never before.  Many of the psalms view the past and the present with very differing thoughts.  The present is seen as a cup half full, and often times much worse, questioning God’s lack of concern and action.  However memories of the past focus upon the faithfulness of God, his acts of deliverance and consistent love.  I guess people today complaining about the present and talking about “the good old days” is nothing new.
 
This got me back to thinking about some “good old days” stories, stories that I have a feeling my granddaughters will never understand.  I personally doubt that they will ever hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker, and it just may be that this term will never even be in their vocabulary.  However, I have many personal, first-hand stories that I can tell.
 
I am certain that the concept came my way through my (older and only) brother, Michael.  If my memory holds true, he did quite a bit of hitchhiking, starting out when I was still in high school.  I vividly recall the time he brought the guy who had given him a ride into our backyard, having promised to give him one of our dad’s beers as an expression of gratitude.
 
My usual trek was back and forth between Concordia Lutheran JC in Ann Arbor and home in Saginaw – up US-23 through where it merged with I-75, and then across M-46 to home.  I remember one time when someone dropped me off in the worst place possible, the intersection of I-96 and US-23.  As I stood (illegally) where even the ramps were freeways, a car pulled over to pick me up.  Running toward it, I suddenly realized it was a State Trooper.  Blessed as I am, after the officers told me how unsafe my positioning was, they continued on their emergency run to Mount Pleasant.  It was my quickest trip home ever!  And then there was the weekend when the weather was so rainy that most cars had their wipers on fast the entire day.  It was miserable standing there with my thumb out, but people must have had pity on me.  Although it took 2-3 times as many rides as normal, I don’t think I ever stood outside for more than 30 seconds.
 
Monica’s dad would never pick up a hitchhiker.  However, one time when Monica, her mom, and I were in the car with him, he did.  I think it was purely because I was in the car.  Just as the additional passenger was getting into the car, the flashers of a police vehicle parked behind us.  After my future father-in-law received a ticket that day I don’t think he ever picked up another hitchhiker.
 
Great memories … fun stories (and, yes, they are true) … but not something I would do today, nor something I hope my granddaughters ever do.
 
Today there are many evil and dangerous people in our world.  And the evil and danger we see is not just found in the stranger offering a young person a ride.  We can look at the civil unrest, wars, and threats that persist world-wide.  We can talk about gas prices, inflation, and how the rich seem to get richer while the poor get poorer.  And our nation is so polarized politically, with each side seeming to see good and evil in opposing ways.  It is easy to see the present as a cup half full, and often times much worse, while we question God’s lack of concern and action (and, in this day and age, if there even is a God).
 
However there is also great good in our present day.  In spite of inflation, the people I know are traveling, recreating, and vacationing as never before.  We hear of great medical advancements on almost a daily basis (Just yesterday morning my cardiologist told me that a test I had to get at Beaumont 9 years ago I can get virtually anywhere now … and what used to be high-risk surgeries often today are same-day procedures).  And who of us can ever even hope to keep up with new technological advancements?
 
What I am basically talking about is the message of Holy Week and Easter (believe it or not).  The world looked mighty bleak as the sun set on Good Friday (I think most, if not all, of our Lord’s followers viewed their cup as empty – nowhere even close to half full).  But Easter changed everything.  The empty cup was suddenly overflowing.
 
As it states in the hymn we are singing in my home visits this month, “Alleluia!  Jesus is risen!  Trumpets resounding in glorious light!  Heaven forever!  Oh, what a miracle God has in sight!  Jesus is risen and we shall arise:  Give God the glory!  Alleluia!”  (SB 474, verse 1)
 
So here is today’s “Easter Promise” from Asaph: “When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.  Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you?  And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.  My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73.21-26)  It is amazing how looking back at the promises and actions of our God can change our view of the present and transform our hope for the future!