The preacher John Claypool once told about a thunderstorm that swept through southern Kentucky, where his family had farmed for six generations. The wind blew down an old pear tree that had stood there as long as anyone could remember.

Claypool's grandfather was heartbroken. He had climbed that tree as a boy. He had eaten its fruit all his life.

A neighbor came by. "Doc, I'm really sorry to see your pear tree blown down."

"I'm sorry too," his grandfather said. "It was a real part of my past."

"What are you going to do?"

His grandfather paused for a moment. Then he said, "I'm going to pick the fruit and burn what's left."

Claypool said that's the wise way to deal with much of our past. Learn its lessons. Enjoy its pleasures. And then go on with the present and the future.

Easier said than done.

Some of the most famous words in the Bible were written to people who couldn't go back. The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles in Babylon. Their homes were gone. Their temple was gone. Everything they had known had been blown down. And all they wanted was to go home.

But God's word to them was surprising: "Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce."(Jeremiah 29:5) Don't just wait for the old days to return. Plant something. Right where you are.

And then came the promise: "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

A future with hope. Not back there. Ahead.

So today, may you pick the fruit of your past: its lessons, its joys, its good memories. May you let go of what can't be saved. And may you have the courage to plant something new, trusting that God is with you here and now, and always.

Our prayer today was written by my friend Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.

Prayer: Compassionate God, you suffer with us. You care about our anguish, and your love endures all things, bears all things, believes all things, and hopes all things. In this love, we find faith and courage to live and breathe and have our being. Thanks be to you, O God, for your love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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