Next to Mathematics, History was my least favorite subject. I loathed memorizing dates and people’s names.
On the other side of the spectrum, my husband, three sons, and only grandson, Adrian, love History. That’s why whenever Adrian comes home to the Philippines for a visit, we take him on a heritage tour. His dad thinks it is important for Adrian to know his roots.
During his last visit, we took him to the Apolinario Mabini Shrine, the bamboo organ museum, and the place where the Philippine Independence was proclaimed in Kawit, Cavite. In every place, he would read all the literature and posters with rapt attention. 
These tours have made me realize the value of knowing our past. History provides us with a record of both successes and failures of those who lived before us. It widens our perspective, broadens our knowledge, and helps us make wise choices to avoid mistakes.
Paul also saw the value of history. By recounting the story of the Israelites and their wanderings in the wilderness, he showed the folly of disobedience and wrong choices, which led to ruin. By refusing to trust God, it took the Israelites 40 years to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14).
In 1 Corinthians 10:11, Paul warned the believers, “These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.”
The Book of grace, the holy Bible, contains both examples and warnings to guard us against our rash tendencies and to lead us into wiser living. We need to learn from the lessons of history so we don’t commit the same mistakes.
Musings: By examining the lives of people in the Old Testament, what valuable lessons have helped me make wise decisions?
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