If you are of a certain age you have probably spent some time reminiscing about “the good old days.” You’ve taken note of the general decline of moral standards in our culture. You’ve grown weary of the constant political bickering. You feel as though the world has become a more dangerous and scary place.
Perhaps you long to go back to your childhood when life seemed simpler, more peaceful and more secure. You remember when people could be trusted, when courtesy and mutual respect were the norm, not the exception. Life seemed more hopeful. You were excited about what your future might hold.
Ah, those were the days, right? A kinder, gentler time.
Or was it?
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Actually, those decades were quite turbulent and distressed. The 1960’s saw race riots, the Cuban missile crisis; the assassinations of a United States president, his brother and civil rights leader Martin Luther King; intense controversy over the Vietnam war leading to civil unrest on college campuses all over the country.
The 1970’s gave us Watergate, gas rationing, the Iran hostage crisis and the rise of drug abuse to epidemic proportions.
The world wasn’t safer or more peaceful. Back then I clearly remember my parents letting out deep sighs and longing for their own “good old days.”
Perhaps the innocence and naivety of childhood colors our perception of the past. As children hopefully we had little responsibility, didn’t have to work to make a living, received unconditional love from our parents, didn’t have reason to pay attention to the news and the disturbing vibe it conveyed, and could by-and-large focus on our own needs and desires.
‘Make the most of every opportunity’
As we grew into adulthood we had to become more acutely aware of the dangers and risks out there, and the tensions and stress that came with them.
The world has always been troubled. The truth is, the days are as good as you make them. Ephesians 5:16 says, “Make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil.” Psalm 90:12 states, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
The guidelines for life have been the same throughout biblical history: Love the Lord, obey His commands, love your neighbor as yourself. Such a life will endure whatever is going on out there in the chaos.
Make these your good old days!
EDITOR’S NOTE — Ken Lass is a retired Birmingham television news and sports anchor and an award-winning columnist for numerous publications and websites.
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