The Good Ol’ Days

I like to listen to music from the “Big Band” era. Those wind orchestras cranking out those classic tunes just bring a smile to my face. I used to say, “I hope they have a big band in heaven, and that there’s room for one more trombone player.” Satin Doll, Tuxedo Junction, Take the ‛A’ Train—I just love this music.

As I listen to the forties station on satellite radio, I note that much is said (between tracks) about this period being “the good ol’ days”. I know that this is done tongue-in-cheek, but there are a lot of people out there that seem to think that there actually were some good old days. Certainly society has seen many changes for the worse over the years; the “entertainment” industry seems to be filthier than ever, politeness seems to be all but gone, and “road rage” is a thing. But, as you reflect on the glory of those days of yore, keep a couple of things in mind.

One, every generation has its good and bad. While I would appreciate a return to the manners of June and Ward Cleaver, I wouldn’t really want to live without the modern conveniences I’ve come to depend on. I don’t want to go back to rampant air pollution, harmful strip mining, segregation, the Cold War—you get the idea. Those “good ol’ days” had their bad as well as the modern age.

Two, sin has always been with us, since Adam blew it in Eden. Plays and stories from ancient times can be just as nasty as the stuff they put on cable TV today. Ill-mannered people have always been around. And, did you know that the Greek story of Oedipus describes how he killed a man because he refused to yield to him at an intersection? Talk about road rage…

I enjoy the “retro” craze as much as the next guy, and I get a kick out of reliving some scenes from my childhood, or even my parents’ or grandparents’ childhoods—but I know that those days, or any days since sin entered our world, aren’t all that good. That’s why Jesus sacrificed himself—to usher in good days that will last forever.

That’s something to think about.