There’s something comforting about looking back.
Not to live in the past—but to remember the good, simple moments that still bring a smile even today.
Sometimes I’ll catch a smell, a song, or a phrase… and suddenly I’m 10 years old again, barefoot in the backyard, drinking Kool-Aid from a jelly jar cup.
This one’s for those memories.
The little things we grew up with that still live in our hearts—like warm bread fresh out of the oven.
Let’s smile together.
Sunday Mornings in Our “Church Best”
Getting ready for church used to be a whole production.
The shoes were polished, the hair was combed (eventually), and the dresses had lace and sometimes itchy collars.
We didn’t always like the clothes… but we loved the routine. We knew Sunday was the Lord’s Day. And that meant a family breakfast, maybe Grandma’s sweet rolls, and all of us piling into the car 5 minutes later than we were supposed to.
And oh, the sound of that church bell ringing—calling us to come worship.
It wasn’t fancy.
But it was sacred.
And even now, I miss it sometimes.
Telephone Tables and Long Cords That Reached the Moon
Remember when the phone had a place in the house?
Usually near the kitchen, on that little wooden “telephone table,” where we kept a notepad and pencil for messages. The cord stretched halfway down the hallway—especially when teenagers were involved.
We memorized phone numbers. We actually talked to people, without texting. And when that phone rang, everyone jumped like it might be Jesus Himself calling.
Today’s smartphones can do everything except give you the thrill of hearing Grandma’s voice before caller ID. That? That still makes me smile.
Family Dinners (TV Off, Elbows Off the Table)
We didn’t eat dinner in separate rooms. We ate together.
The table was the center of the home—where we laughed, prayed, argued, and passed the green beans all in one sitting.
You didn’t dare eat until grace was said. And if you reached before someone else had a helping? You got “the look” from Mom.
Sure, it wasn’t perfect.
But it was real. And those conversations—the silly ones and the deep ones—still live in me today.
Sometimes, I wish more families would bring that back.
Just the act of gathering… slowing down… and saying thanks.
Hymns That Still Echo in My Soul
There are songs I haven’t heard in years, but I could sing them today by heart.
“Blessed Assurance.”
“In the Garden.”
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”
They weren’t just music—they were anchors. They reminded us of Who God is, what He’s done, and how much He loves us.
I remember looking up at my parents in church, their eyes closed as they sang. I didn’t understand all the words back then, but I felt something.
And now, as the years go on, I understand more.
That’s the power of a good old hymn. It stays with you when life gets hard.
Real Letters in the Mailbox
Do you remember opening the mailbox and finding an actual letter?
Maybe it was a birthday card from Aunt Betty. Or a note from someone at church. You read every word, smiled at the handwriting, and maybe even kept it tucked in your Bible.
We used to write “thinking of you” notes. We sent love through the mail, not emojis.
And every time I see an old envelope tucked away in a drawer, it warms my heart.
Because someone took the time to care—in ink.
Bible on the Nightstand, Not an App on a Phone
There’s nothing wrong with Bible apps.
But there’s something holy about a well-worn Bible.
The kind with underlines, folded pages, and scribbled prayers in the margins.
The kind you saw your parents or grandparents reading at dawn, sitting quietly with a cup of coffee and the Word of God.
That Bible? It held more than Scripture.
It held tears, dreams, and the quiet strength of a faith lived out day by day.
Front Porch Sits and Back Yard Swings
When the sun started to set, the porch light came on and the day slowed down.
We sat on the porch with sweet tea or lemonade. The neighbors waved. The crickets sang. And sometimes, someone would pull out a guitar or start telling stories about “when they were young.”
Kids played tag in the yard. Grown-ups talked about the weather and the Lord.
It was simple.
But it was everything.
Even now, a quiet evening with a breeze and a good chair brings me right back.
Grandma’s Kitchen
There’s just no substitute for it.
The smell of biscuits baking. The sound of Gospel music playing from the radio. The taste of something made from scratch—with prayer, love, and real butter.
Grandma’s kitchen was a place where no one went hungry. And somehow, just being there made you feel safe.
I can still hear her laugh. Still remember her apron. Still feel her hug.
If heaven smells like anything, I hope it’s that kitchen.
Looking Back with Gratitude
It’s easy to feel like the world has gotten too fast, too loud, too divided.
But when I remember these little things—the phone cords, the hymnals, the porch talks—I remember who I am.
And more importantly… whose I am.
Because those small, ordinary moments were filled with extraordinary grace.
God was there, in all of it.
So if you’re feeling a little tired or discouraged today… take a moment.
Look back.
Let those sweet memories remind you of all the good you’ve lived through—and the God who’s been with you every step of the way.
And smile. 😊
💬 What’s one thing you grew up with that still makes you smile?
Share it in the comments—I’d love to walk down memory lane with you.
