Last Updated on February 15, 2024 by Stacy Averette
I’m not a fan of spiders but I’ve always been intrigued by their webs. (That is until I run headlong through one, at which point I’m flailing and freaking out as I’m certain that a horror-movie-sized-spider has latched onto me and will bite me with poisonous fangs and I’ll die a slow painful death.) Anyway.
My digital photo albums testify to my odd fascination with spider webs. They’re all quite lovely in the early morning light, sparkling with dew and I took special notice again this summer. Perhaps it all began with a hand-painted wooden sign I picked up at a yard sale. As with many of the treasures I find and bring home, this little green sign was tucked away until I found just the place for it.
One early summer afternoon, on a whim, I hung the sign on the deck railing next to the patio set we’ve loved for two and half decades. Before bed, I walked outside and saw this. I wonder if God and the spider chuckled.
Each day this summer I’ve noticed the handiwork of the orb weavers on our deck and around our yard. On a few occasions, I’ve had the privilege to watch the tiny creature defy gravity and create a silky masterpiece that seems to hang in the air by invisible threads.
My quiet observation and attempts to capture the works of art have been, perhaps, the most consistent habit of the season. The serendipitous wave of webs is summer’s gift.
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The Bible tells me I am a new creation in Christ and I believe it—at least I’m learning to. But Regret haunts me. My mind is tangled in a web of mistakes, missed opportunities, and disappointing outcomes. I scribble questions for Him on pages I hope no eye ever sees. The ways He points me to Truth always surprise me.
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I run headlong through these words in one of my favorite books:
THE PAST IS PROLOGUE.
Prologue:
- a separate introductory section of a literary or musical work.
- an event or action that leads to another event or situation.
- a prologue comes before the first chapter of a novel. It is part of the narrative and sets up the main story, provides some vital information, and prepares the reader for what is to come.
The past is prologue! My past is prologue. Your past is prologue. Our past—all of it—is the introductory section of our life. The events or actions of our past lead to other events or situations (our present and our future). It is the part of the narrative that serves up the main story, provides vital information, and prepares us for what’s to come.
Our past is not the whole story! The choices, attitudes, and beliefs of 20 years ago or 2 hours ago are just the “back story” for what’s now and what’s to come.
“Oh, I wish I’d have known then what I know now!”
“If I could only turn back the clock, I’d do some things differently.”
“I should’ve known better.”
Haunting thoughts stickier than the orb weaver’s silky threads.
But friend, our past is prologue. It’s a vital part of our story. In His wisdom, patience, and lovingkindness, God has orchestrated or allowed every single detail.
~~~
A hand-painted sign from a yard sale, early morning webs glistening in the sun, and four simple words from a favorite book. All random details until a few days ago.
You know those lovely webs sparkling with dew in the early morning? Return a few hours later and the intricate silky displays have mysteriously disappeared. Curiosity and wonder get the best of me so I dive headlong into the interwebs in search of an answer.
Some orb weaver spiders tear down and even consume much of the web’s silk as the morning begins to dawn. This interesting habit is performed in order take in moisture from dew that may have settled on the web.
The past is prologue. Today is a new day and our story—His story—is still being told. Yesterday’s efforts, disappointments, frustrations, mistakes, and missed opportunities are not meant to consume us, but to be consumed, and digested. Nourishment is extracted as wisdom and reward for the rest of the story.
~~~
This post is about my experience. Maybe you’re not ready to eat the web of your past. Maybe there are pieces of your story you’re not yet ready to discard.
Maybe you need to wallow in the pain and dysfunction a little longer. Maybe you’re still at a point where you binge and lay on the couch all day on your off day.
Maybe you’re still avoiding thinking about it much less talking about it. You lose yourself in your work or your grandkids or some hobby.
Maybe you’re talking to a professional, processing all the things and what you did or what they said and what you’ve made it all mean about you and them and God.
I won’t pretend to know where you are on your journey.
But journeys aren’t linear as in: you start at point A and go to point B and travel on to point C and BOOM you’re done. It’s over. Life isn’t like that at all.
Life is cyclical. We make progress and then we find ourselves “back where we started”. Thanks be to God though, we may end up in the same place but we’re not the same person. By grace, we’re being transformed through joy and suffering. Don’t spend too much time and energy on regrets. Your past is a prologue on your journey to freedom. Just keep walking in circles with God.
Pay attention. Listen. Learn.
Wherever you are be there with Him. He knows what He’s doing. You can trust Him. He is good.
Amen