So That We Remember

The older I get, the more I forget. Have you notice this in yourself? That the memory’s not so sharp as it once was?! Maybe it’s just me, but I forget things, both big and little!

Just the other day my man brought chickens home after work, roosters I was supposed to butcher first thing in the morning.

But when the daylight dawned, do you think I remembered?

Nope!

I went about my feeding chores, checked our animals, had breakfast and spent an hour or two doing odds and ends around the house. And then? I decided it was time to give the basement a good cleaning. Leaves, dirt and who-knows-what-else was tracked all over the floor.

As I ran the vacuum back and forth over the concrete, I worked my way toward the basement door. Upon reaching it, I was almost startled out of my wits. The cardboard box in the corner moved! For a moment, I froze, wondering “what on earth?!” And then, I remembered! Poor roosters!

And this folks? This is short term stuff. Long term? It ain’t a-gonna stick!

 

I WANT TO REMEMBER

Folks, I want to remember! Some memories are so special that I wanna hold onto them forever. And others are so difficult, I want to remember so I can avoid making the same mistake in my future!

And yet? Unless recorded, those memories will fade out. Photographs capture but a brief moment in time. And writing? Writing has the ability to capture moments in detail. If only we take time to write them down.

 

LEST WE FORGET

Before my man and I were married, we both realized that remembrance plays an important role not only in the quality of life we live, but also in the strength of our faith. We decided to keep written record of God’s work in our lives.

The times He provided. Answered prayers. Rebuked us. Set us free. Was silent. Led us. Challenged us. Healed us.

We want to remember.

Upon being married, we bought a black, leather-bound journal for this purpose. From dating days to first, second and now third year, our journey is scribbled in those pages.

Oh, we don’t write often! Once, maybe twice a year. Occasionally, we write while things are still fresh in our minds.

Sometimes, gratefulness is scratched onto the page. Sometimes (er…very often) humble words make appearance. There are stories of victory. Stories of helpless dependence. Stories that sober us as we look back. Stories that make us desirous of being faithful to our God.

 

FOR ASSURANCE’S SAKE

It’s good!

We can look back on times when God was silent (such as our move to the south). Though we didn’t have specific direction, we can see that He has been with us. Undeniably so! And it gives us confidence as we keep open hearts and make decisions in times of silence.

We can look back at times we’ve lived selfishly and see that if we confess and repent, He truly does heal. Not only this, but the glue He uses often makes us stronger than we were before!

We see that He is good. That He’s not afraid to let us feel loss in order to deepen our hearts and draw our focus back to Him. Which reminds us what this life is all about.

We see that He often uses people to comfort, provide for and rebuke us, even when they are unaware of it. Which encourages us: even if we feel our influence is too little, He may be using us, unawares, in someone else’s life!

 

REMEMBER

We aren’t movers and shakers. We’re a simple couple who wants to lead a simple life. Not exactly one of the influential couples in our social realm today! But we do desire to be faithful to One who has given much for us. And to this end, we keep filling those pages. So that we remember.