"Bobbing and Weaving!" While Looking Back!

Our comedic, number-two son, surprised me this Father's Day with a humorous and candid remembrance from the family past... "'Heads bobbing and weaving!'... you would yell at Matt and me as a signal to start looking for cars as you backed out of a spot in our three-row, 1986 Caprice Wagon. Kids were a precursor to the backup camera in those days. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I ever actually looked for cars as it was just fun to move my head back and forth! Happy Father's Day, Dad!"

"Old Blue!"

The greeting brought back some fond memories of the old blue station wagon that served as our primary vehicle during the late eighties and nineties. That wagon was our version of the popular people mover of the time, the minivan, and it kept me from ever having to own a real one! 

In that social media greeting, Marc had reminded us that "back in the day" we utilized the eyes and ears of four children to keep us out of some vehicular scrapes with that "big boat of a car!" The key was in "bobbing and weaving!" Marc and Matt facing backward in the rear "boogie seat" while Melissa and Michelle were "on the lookout" from the second seat!  A built-in collision preventer! 😀

Today, we have the advantage of a rear-facing camera in our current vehicle. Since 2018, all new cars, trucks and vans must be equipped with this monitoring technology. And it has saved lives! Statistics show that there are 15,000 injuries and over 200 fatalities every year from backing up accidents involving light vehicles. Rear-mounted video cameras expand the field of vision for the driver and eliminate those blind spots that can protect people and property. I am glad our car also has an audio warning tone that sounds when backing too close to objects!

Here's advice or a perspective you have no doubt heard, "You can't go back! Don't live in the past!" For the most part, I'm in general agreement. But, could there be some lessons learned from looking back? I believe so! Here's a short list of benefits that can expand our vision and help to eliminate some of our blind spots:

    

    1. Looking back helps us see what did or didn't work, our successes and failures. 

    2. A look back often makes us laugh, but also can make us cry.

    3. Looking back affords us an opportunity to review and regroup before going forward.

    4. A look back also reminds us that family members and friends may be following our example.

The Bible book of Deuteronomy represents a look back for the children of God. In particular, it was addressed to the children that succeeded the previous generation coming out of 300 years of slavery in Egypt to journey for forty years in the wilderness because they refused to believe God and enter the Promised Land. In this final extended speech comprising several chapters, Moses challenges this new generation to do what their parents had failed to do, to obey God and remember to "Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His rules and His statues, which I command you today" (Deut. 8:11, ESV). That previous generation had failed the test of their wilderness wanderings. Now, their children will be given the chance to do better. But first, they must look back at old failures in order to apply new lessons for their future lives in the land of promise. 

You and I look back everytime we observe Communion or the Lord's Supper. We see in the elements of worship around the Table of our Lord what great cost and sacrifice was involved in our salvation. This look back gives us hope for change in our future. As Paul reminds, "Do this in remembrance of Me... For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" (1 Cor. 11:24b, 26).

Once in awhile, let's intentionally look back and do some spiritual "bobbing and weaving!"

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,
active churchman and
doting grandparent.
Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com