Over the weekend, I got pulled into watching the movie “Big” with Tom Hanks. I say “pulled” because it’s one of those movies that just draws you into watching it, even if you have seen it 100 times. Make that 101.
You probably remember this one. Tom Hanks is a little boy who makes a wish to be big, wakes up big, gets a job, falls in love, and makes a wish to return to the way he was. He offers to have his new found love make the same wish and go back to her childhood with him. Susan says; “no thanks, I don’t want to go through all of that again”.
I sat there wondering, knowing what I know now, would I go back and do it again? Would I change anything? How would things have turned out differently? If I could find the magic “Zoltar” machine, would I drop the quarter and return to a date in the past? Are there things I would change? Would you?
With all of this in mind, I read this from “Chasing Daylight” by Erwin McManus –
“One moment in the past continues to haunt every moment of your life. A moment in history that steals from you all the moments in the future. Is there a moment you keep reliving again and again? To relive the past is to relinquish the future. If you are willing to let go of the past, then you are ready to step into the future. When you choose to remain stuck in a moment, you become incapable of seizing divine moments”
That’s pretty sound advice. When I think of “going back” I can probably circle a few dates on the calendar that I would go to. There are definitely moments I would change. But the reality is that these dates are history. They are gone. To live in them is to “relinquish the future”. Just as Susan did in “Big”,
I think I’ll stay BIG too….
My answer to your question probably sounds cliched, but it’s true nonetheless. Everything that I have experienced has made me what I am today. I wouldn’t trade that for the world.
Even my darkest moments and biggest mistakes helped mold me into the man, husband and father I am. If I went back and changed anything along the way, it would likely only be for personal gain. But it’s the humility and brokenness brought on by my mistakes that God has used to bring about the life I now so richly enjoy.
Put me in the “stay BIG” column too.
It’s an interesting question. To me I think I would stay Big too. To go back and change things would change who you are. You never know, things that may have been regrettable in the past may be responsible for positive character traits now. I think If I were to go back and relive or change things I thought would make me a better person or even just making my memories more pleasant may end up hurting me in the end.
I don’t regret anything from my past, even the stuff I’d rather not recall because I know it’s what molded me into the man I am today.
I’m in the “Stay Big” column too. Oh sure there are some things I guess I would want to change. However, more than that there are some things I’ve said that I would change. A word spoken is forever though. So I pray that the Lord puts angels at my mouth and lets my conversation be pleasing to His ears.
I’ll stay big too. As big as 5’1″ can be. I’d be afraid to go back and make things worse. Some things I skated by the skin of my teeth. And I’m just getting used to who I am. I don’t want to have to start that all over. Boy that sounded pretty negative didn’t it. Geez, sorry. Very Eeyore.
All – Great responses. I sense a common theme that everyone feels content with not only who they are today, but the past that molded and refined them into who they are. I am thinking I should have called this post “Stay Big”. As Pumba said in the movie “Lion King”, “you gotta put your behind..in the past”. Thanks for responding. Here’s to “Staying Big” 😉
Definitely in the ” Stay Big” column. There are a great many things I would choose to change if I could, but there are no “Do overs” in life…
just keep our hand on the plow, and by Gods grace, keep moving forward!
Every mistake is an opportunity to grow; without them I doubt I would have the richness in my walk I now cherish.
My weakness brings a desperation for more of Christ in my life, and more of His Life in me…
So yeah, I’ll stay big :>)
Bless you Aaron, some good posts this week, as always!
Susan
Ah, that’s an old film, isn’t it!
Can give 5 tickets away
Dunno where the ‘Can give 5 tickets away’ came from.. nothing to do with me!!!
Every blessing
Maria in the UK
http://www.inhishands.co.uk
I’m going to go against the grain here–yes, who I am has been shaped by what I’ve been through and I have come to know Jesus through suffering, I am happy now where I am, I love my kids, etc., however….if I could go back and change to being loved and accepted and not live through all the abuse would I go back? Sure sounds pretty nice…
Rindy – Thank you for your honesty. I would venture to say that each of us could circle a date, or dates in time we would go back and do different. I have a short list. Yet I can’t help but see how God has been able to move and work in your life. Imagine the impact you can have on others, who don’t know the love of Christ and need to know what he can do in our brokenness. You are a blessing to me! Past included 😉