The Good Old Days?

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d catch myself saying the phrase . . . at least not yet in life.  It’s something that I’ve heard others say—my grandfather or dad, perhaps.  In the last month, however, the words slipped out of my mouth twice!  And both times they about knocked me over. 

“The good old days.”  The fond reminders of what once was.

I’m only 45.  To some, that may date me prehistoric.  To others, still wet behind the ears.  In my mind, I’m still 30.  My body disagrees.  Still, I never thought those words would cross my tongue so soon.  My kids think it’s hilarious.

Me at a birthday. The good old days.

But regardless of your age, you know that some things seem better the way they used to be.  It’s a fact of life, or so it feels.  To me, the 90’s was the greatest decade—it’s when I was discovering the world and experiencing the colors of life.  Things were simple back then.  There weren’t cell phones to cloud and confuse the social scene.  When you wanted to be socially interactive with someone, you met them.  Face to face.  It was as easy as: “Hey, let’s get together after school.”  And it happened.  And it was fun.  Now things are complicated.  Teenagers today send Snapchat snaps to each other of random, unrecognizable photos with no text content whatsoever just to keep social “streaks” alive.  Makes no sense to me.  And so, I think:

Ah, the good old days.

And I see kids who are so wrapped up in the complexities of a digital world—one I am enjoying, don’t get me wrong.  But there was a time when I was their age.  And I went outside.  Back then, you could play with things like homemade toys.  We didn’t need to buy things all the time.  We played in crazy places (author inserts sarcastic humor)—unheard of places, like Grandma’s backyard or ballfields.  We sought thrills and let our curiosity teach us things in places like ponds or forests.  We had adventures back then.  Now, it’s 2023. I hear everywhere I turn: “kids today can’t sit still.”  Well back then, they didn’t either.  That’s because kids can’t sit still.  It’s called being a kid.  And to fix that, kids went outside.  We had adventures.  We moved and played and ran all over the world.

The good old days.

Me playing. The good old days.

Believe it or not, there was once a time when common sense had place.  An era when people learned from burning their mouth on a hot cup of coffee and didn’t do it again—instead of suing someone.  Consequences taught us how to survive—and do it well.  A crazy thought, I know.  There was once a day when people used their minds.  When people actually thought.  Actually used reason.  And took responsibility for themselves.  Today, we shift blame, passing the buck to whomever necessary to escape without accountability.

Oh, the good old days.

Last week, I found myself telling our boys about Billy Graham.  I remember going to see him speak at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa, before they tore the building down.  It was one of the highlights of my childhood.  A special moment with my dad.  I watched Billy Graham in person.  The incredible anointing his ministry had.  How God moved in that stadium that night.  A young mind watched with young eyes as thousands of people flooded the field and responded to the invitation to meet Jesus at the end.  Today, I feel a void in our culture.  I miss Billy Graham and what God did with him.  I hope and pray that God would call another to evangelize the nations like Billy did.

The good old days.

There once was a day when you could work on a car and fix it yourself. When we learned to drive stick-shift vehicles. When you took tests based on the merits of what you knew. When merry-go-rounds existed. When neighborhoods had parents around that if you were bad they treated you like you were their own and disciplined you themselves. When you could earn something by hard work. When you could save Bazooka Joe bubble gum points and get something cool in the mail.

A neighbor’s classic truck. The good old days.

But no matter how many times my kids hear me say “The good old days,” it isn’t going to change anything.  I’ll never bring back the 90’s no matter how hard I try.  I can enjoy old music, dance daydreams of nostalgia, and keep fond memories.  But we are moving in a new direction, and I cannot stop time.  I found this especially true in my wrestling with grief and loss.  How hard it was to take the next step in life!  I was petrified in a stand-still of “what used to be.”

The good old days.

But does God have something for us today?

Does God have something for me now?

My wife Faerie and I lead a youth group at our church.  We see the differences between generations each week.  Some, are humorous.  Some, are shocking.  And as youth leaders, we have decided to engage the culture head on and shine our lights.  Why?  Because we have something to offer.  Here are a few tips to help anyone struggling with “the good old days.”

First, Jesus doesn’t change.  Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  That’s good news because our world is constantly shifting.  How could we possibly have anything to stand on if Jesus changed?  My friend, He is solid.  A solid rock.  He doesn’t change.  He’s the same Jesus I had in the 90’s.  He’s the same Jesus that Billy Graham prayed to in his hay day.  And He’s the same Jesus that the next generation needs.  It’s not our job to dissect every little thing we don’t like about the world in which we live now days.  It’s our job to engage the culture with this same Jesus so the next generation has hope as well.

How do I know?  Because Jesus himself commanded us to be lights in this dark world. 

Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Think of it for a minute.  Didn’t the generation before you say the same thing?  Didn’t you hear them say “Ah, the good old days” as well?  Of course!  Every generation does!  I confessed from the start of this post that “the good old days” was something my grandfather or dad would have said, not me.  Point being, just as we needed the prior generation to help steer us in the right direction, the next generation desperately needs our help as well.  Let’s open our eyes.  Opportunity is everywhere. 

Do you know someone of the younger generation?  I challenge you to engage them.  Teach them.  Show them Jesus.  Don’t complain about the current culture but help them shine in it.  Show them some history.  Just as I did, Google “how many people did Billy Graham preach to?” and have a moment of engagement with someone who doesn’t know.  You’ll be shocked to find out what Google says.

The good old days can be more than a yesterday.  It can be connected to today.  Lessons learned can be passed on to those who need them.  Important things, transferred.  It’s our job, our mission, our duty—our commandment. 

Engage the culture.

Just like they did for you.

Back in the good old days.

By Chuck Carr

Drop a comment about what you learned from the good old days, something important you are passing to the next generation from it, or a sweet memory that you’d just like to share.

Thanks, and God bless.