Hello, friends! I’ve been thinking about hope and the past and I’ve come to a conclusion.

I don’t believe in the good ol’ days.

Nope.

I truly believe each season of my life has had its share of the positive and negative.

Highs and lows. Wonderful times and depressing circumstances.

“To everything, there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven … ” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV

Every purpose. If I skipped all the lows, where would that leave me?

I think often of my dad. His favorite hymn was “The Old Rugged Cross.” I love it too. I also love the newer praise and worship music. Contemporary Christian music. Gospel music. I can find good in all of it. But my mind goes to hymns often these days, when I need that extra measure of hope. Perhaps these words will help you today.

The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.

[Refrain]

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for ’twas on that old cross, Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.

Refrain]

To that old rugged cross, I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I’ll share. [Refrain]

What do you think about the good ol’ days? Is my thought a new one for you? What about The Old Rugged Cross?

I love to know what you think …