Jimbo's Jots

One of the classes I took in high school was a typewriting class. Literally, it was a class to learn how to type. We had the “state of the art” IBM Selectric typewriters. The goal of the class by semester’s end? Typing has many words as you could without looking at your hands and having minimum errors. If you could do this, then you were successful in the class. I might add, though, that you couldn’t backspace and hit the delete button while you were tested. So you were graded on what you typed, good or mistakes.

Many that I have counseled have struggled with this very idea. They try to hit the backspace in life to re correct some mistakes from their past. They harbor resentment and anguish over poor choices. The “would’ve, could’ve, should’ve’s” invade their thoughts to the point they cannot move beyond those moments.

So we try to move beyond their past. We try to get them to understand that while the past is key to the development of where we are today, the past should not be given the avenue of control it has on us. So, I ask questions like, “How would you like to move beyond past choices? What did you learn about yourself by staying in your past? How would you like your today and future look if you were able to not allow your past to control you?”

We move on – not necessarily by hitting the backspace button to delete our past. But, in the words of my typing teacher, focus on your goal (paper your are typing from) and try to remember where the keys are so that you can type the best you can.

Here are some “keys” to remember as you type along:

• Forget the past (Philippians 3:13) – I would imagine Paul thought about his past as a Jewish leader leading attacks against the new Christians. I would imagine he thought about all of the pain he caused to people. He said he forgets his past.
• Press on to a new future (Philippians 3:14) – Paul had his sights on a new goal in life and after life. He lived according to the life that was to come.
• New every day (Lamentations 3:22-23) – Even when the day does not go as planned, know that God’s mercy is new every day. He doesn’t give you a backspace. He gives you a new page to type.

May the pages of your life be filled with all of the goodness God has shown you! May your goals be to complete the task at hand and type away at what is before you!

Be blessed and be a blessing!