Looking to the Future with an Eye on the Past
Over the weekend, a friend sent Ray an excellent quote, and he passed it on to me. The quote is from Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther, which our friend is reading. I was not familiar with the book, but the 1942 movie, starring Greer Garson, was one we watched several times while we were homeschooling our children. The movie won Best Picture. Greer Garson won Best Actress in a Leading Role. Teresa Wright won Best Actress in a Supporting Role. William Wyler won Best Director, but he wasn’t present at the awards ceremony because he was overseas shooting film for the U.S. Army Air Force. The movie also won Best Writing of a Screenplay and Best Cinematography of a Black and White movie. The film was nominated for six other Academy Awards.
When I looked the book up online, so I could tell you when it was published, I found first editions ranging from $18.31 to $387.39! Now I am embarrassed that I didn’t know it was a book.
Here’s the quote:
She wondered why it had never occurred to her before that you cannot successfully navigate the future unless you keep always framed beside it a small clear image of the past.
— Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther, page 120, 1940 edition
Giving children a “clear image of the past” is one of the best gifts you can give them. I pity those who only know what is happening right now. How terribly frightening that must be. Those who don’t know the past are vulnerable to those who want to manipulate them. A clear image of what we usually think of as history is a helpful antidote to fear and manipulation. Even more helpful is a clear image of the history revealed in the Bible.
Our children need to know that in the past God created people in His image; Jesus came to earth as the Messiah; Jesus died for the sins of all people, including them; and Jesus arose and now reigns in Heaven. Our children need to know that Jesus trusted God even in His most vulnerable moment.
The writer of Hebrews reviewed the lives of people from the Old Testament to encourage Christians with a “clear image of the past”:
Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3
As always your words are truth and bring encouragement. Thank you for your words. I praise God for His ministry through you and your family. God bless you. ????
Encouraging truths – thank you for sharing.