spiritual life

Always something there to remind me

JOY journal

“I can’t seem to find Funkytown on Google Maps.” bumper sticker wit

It is probably difficult for Millennials or Gen Z-ers to imagine, but there was once a time when one could pump gas or buy groceries without listening to music.

There are yearbooks to contend with, as well. Here I am in my 1980s less than glory. Hair blow dried straight — oh, the irony. Drinking something grape-flavored and hideous. Not a journalist yet, but headed that way.

Alas, that time has passed. And, because of this, so has any illusion that there is even a scrap of youth left in me. The oldies music piping so cheerily from speakers just everywhere is my music. The music of the ’80s. The music of my youth. The music from when I actually cared about the Top 40.

It kind of crept up on me. There’d be a song from Michael Jackson’s Thriller playing at the girls’ orthodontist and my foot would start tapping. Then, there’d be a Eurythmics song at the grocery and I’d realize I knew all the words — even though I didn’t particularly like the Eurythmics back in the day. (Annie Lennox was kind of scary.)

Now, I have to admit, I occasionally rock out in the privacy of my car while I am waiting for our daughters to show up after some event somewhere. I just make sure I turn the volume way down and the radio way off before they are within 20 feet. It’s unseemly for a woman of my age to be wiggling in her seat and singing along to the Go Go’s “Vacation.”

There is a downside to all this nostalgia, however. Songs of one’s youth trigger memories of one’s youth.

An example? Corey Hart’s “Sunglasses at Night” conjurs the clearest and oddest image of walking out the door of an ice cream shop with my two best friends and a date. I was young, I was in like and I was bubbly happy. That’s nice enough. But, what’s with the “sunglasses at night” thing? Was one of us wearing them? Was the song playing? Who knows?

Another song, Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” reminds me of dancing (badly) in front of a curtain printed with hideous blue and pink roses, egged on by a pack of girl friends who knew of my star crush on George Michael. Again, who knew?

It occurs to me that memories of my church-girl youth, while far from perfect, are probably more innocuous than some of my peers. Or those who are older. Or those who are younger.

Truth is, no matter how goody two shoes we were or are, we’ve all fallen short of God’s best for us. And, Satan, our ever-present adversary, will use whatever he’s got to make sure there’s “always something there to remind.” That includes music from way back when.

We might not be able to turn it off or even tune it out. But, we can remember what God says about the sins of our youth (or any other age) whenever Satan attempts a total eclipse of the heart.

If we’ve already turned from these sins and are living in grace and faith, they are as far away as the east is from the west, as deeply buried as if they were tossed into the ocean. And, if we haven’t yet said goodbye to sin, we still can. The God who really does watch every breath you take is still in the forgiving business.

So, take joy … and don’t stop believin’. 😉

Published by JOY journal

After a long career writing for local newspapers — and, on rare occasions, for publications such as The Washington Post — Nora's word life is now focused on blogging and occasional writing projects of special interest. Also the author of several books, Nora lives in Appalachia with her husband and a goodish dog named Finn, who is delighted whenever the family's two adult daughters are home from college.

26 thoughts on “Always something there to remind me”

  2. Hi!! Oh the memories….you took me back to my high school days through some of the songs you shared as well. ☺
    To be honest, I don’t think I even understood some of the lyrics I was singing along too until much older and now I shudder. Live and learn.
    It does take me back to prom, first dates, and life with my mom before she passed away of cancer when I was 18.
    I really enjoyed this post. Thank you for sharing
    BTW, I’m class of 1990! 😆

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. 🙂 The picture makes me laugh. I think I was listening to a Walkman, which was high tech of the time. Oddly, I didn’t actually have a Walkman, so this one wasn’t mine.

      Like

      Reply

  5. This is a wonderful post, enjoyed your journey, a flashback to the past. Good music, micro computers at our fingertips. Your right, we all sin, fall short, yet we are Loved by God.
    So thankful for God’s grace, and mercy. His unconditional Love reigns, Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice redeemed by Love. Forgiven, made Free.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  8. Beautiful post Nora.
    My music would mainly be mid ‘60’s & ‘70’s with Abit of ‘80’s.
    Certainly remember Paige hairstyle & blow drying from a naturally curly gal.
    Thanks for the memories.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

Leave a comment