Saturday, April 9, 2011

Don’t Forget to Remember

Janene Dec 2010

As we mature (a phrase my dermatologist is fond of using, even though I have asked him to stop beginning sentences with it), we become more aware of the importance of memory and memories. This morning my sister and I were having a conversation about the importance of exercising our minds. We agreed that one way we can do that is to discipline ourselves to remember. Rehearse the memories. Will yourself to recall; don’t just shrug it off with, “I can’t remember anything anymore.” My sister mentioned that she had presented a brief devotional on “Remembering,” a few years ago, to the staff of missionaries with whom she worked at the time. I asked for her permission to share. It follows.

Devotional from Guest Writer, Janene Ford

Don’t Forget to Remember

Since I do not live near our grandchildren, I have to rely on their memories of us, their grandparents, and what we do when we are together. I do memory enhancement exercises with them. I talk to them on the phone:

“Do you remember when we went walking in the woods and we heard the hoot owl?”

“Do you remember when we did the style show and you were a Greek goddess?”

“Do you remember when we went swimming at the hotel?”

I also send them letters and pictures. I tell them, “Don’t forget to remember…..”

Don’t forget to remember. This is not an original idea. We have been asked, over and over, in the Scriptures to remember. Remember what God has done. We are to remember the ways God has answered our prayers through the trials, remember how God comforted us in our very saddest times, how He strengthened us in our weaknesses, how he has protected us.

I want to encourage you to LOOK FOR WAYS TO REMEMBER GOD’S PAST FAITHFULNESS. Make a practice of remembering. When (not if) hard days come, we will be accustomed to remembering God’s faithfulness, His goodness, His protection, His unfailing love, and the promises He has kept. Don’t forget to remember.

Psalm 77

11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
       yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12 I will meditate on all your works
       and consider all your mighty deeds.

13 Your ways, O God, are holy.
       What god is so great as our God?

14 You are the God who performs miracles;
       you display your power among the peoples.

Psalm 78

2 I will open my mouth in parables,
       I will utter hidden things, things from of old-

3 what we have heard and known,
       what our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children;
       we will tell the next generation
       the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
       his power, and the wonders he has done.

5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
       and established the law in Israel,
       which he commanded our forefathers
       to teach their children,

6 so the next generation would know them,
       even the children yet to be born,
       and they in turn would tell their children.

7 Then they would put their trust in God
       and would not forget his deeds
       but would keep his commands.

Psalm 102

18 Let this be written for a future generation,
       that a people not yet created may praise the LORD :

Don’t forget to remember!

Thanks to Janene for permission to share her writing.

1 comment:

ROC REV said...

Oh what a wonderful entry. Thank Janene for her excellent devo also. Two sisters with MUCH WISDOM to offer.