Malls, Nostalgia and God

 I am musing about...

Malls, Nostalgia and God

I know. Random, right? You just never know what the Lord will lay on my mind to share. But this time...it has to do with shopping malls.

Have you been to one lately? I do not know how it is in your "neck of the woods" but around here they seem to be a thing of the past. Their glory days have come and gone.

I remember being in Jr. High and all the excitement over the building of the Northwoods Mall in Peoria. It was a big deal. It became the shopping experience of my generation. Heading to the mall for a fun outing with friends! And you have to admit that it was a convenient way to get multiple purchasing tasks done.

But thanks (or no thanks) to the arrival of Amazon and digital shopping, the brick and mortar retail industry is on an obvious decline. At least around here. The mall nearest us (not Northwoods) is just sad. One after another, the anchor stores have closed. It has been quite awhile since I have been there, but honestly, the last time I was, there was very little in the way of shopping opportunities. A large workout facility seems to be what is drawing the most vehicles to the otherwise practically empty parking lot.

Well, this Saturday, my husband and I found ourselves shopping in a mall in a city. And I must say, it felt like "old times". The parking lot was full, and as we walked through, it was refreshing and fun to see a variety of stores lining either side of the mall halls. It was actually bustling, with families, kids...shoppers.

It had a Penney's. I always liked Penney's. It had a photo studio in the Penney's. Did that bring back memories! Memories of getting our kids all dressed up in matching ourfits and surviving the often chaotic sitting, hoping at least one pose would be a keeper! (I am so glad for those photos now!)

Walking through the mall was like a walk down memory lane. It felt nostalgic and sweet. What is it about those memories of just plain living that resonate with sweet affection upon reflection?

An old movie, a particular kitchen gadget, a brand of cereal, a song, a model of car, a trendy fashion, a board game or toy, a shopping mall. All those common everyday things that suddenly can give our heart a sense of fond sentiment when looked back upon with nostalgic pleasure.

Yes, there are some things that get sweeter with time. Things that have passed into the past. 

But then there is a relationship that also grows sweeter with time, but never passes away. Our relationship with our God and our Savior! We reflect on His presence past with sweet awe as we consider His faithfulness. We bask in His presence today with great need and thankfulness. We look forward to His presence tomorrow with hope and peaceful assurance. His is a loving and caring relationship like no other. One that will span into eternity!

Our God. Always there. Always at our side. Never changing yet His grace is always new.

And so there you have it. My random reflection and musing on....

Malls, Nostalgia and God!