SELECTIVE MEMORY

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
    I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
They are constantly in my thoughts.
    I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

Psalm 77:11-12 

 

I don't know about you, but the older the more I am convinced that God has a delightfully weird sense of humor.  I can remember the name of my best friend from 1st grade, but have trouble remembering what I need to pick up from the grocer.  I can remember most of my lines from the very first play I was in, but don't always remember to take my medications.

There have been times when I struggle to remember a verse or passage that might be of help to someone, but the Holy Spirit reminds me of the exact thing I need to say or not say.  I don't always remember the addresses of the verses, but I remember a number of the verses. 

 

There have been times when my attention is so focused on the current moment of depression, anxiety, frustration of the way my life is in that moment.  I fail, in those times to remember all God has done for me.  I fail to remember the epic fails God has brought me through.  Why?  Because I am guilty of SELECTIVE MEMORY! During these times, my instinct is to go to God with anger, whining, and complaining about my current situation.  But God has this uncanny way of shutting me up by reminding me the road He has brought me and all He has delivered me from.  

 

Join me and look back at all that God has brought you through.  The challenges, the relationships, the sticky situations, the moments of sheer idiocy, the moments when He had to humble us, the moments when we celebrated His gifts to us.  Take a look back and remember all that God has already done.  This is the same God who promised to never leave us.  This is the same God who said, "I know the plans I have for YOU!"  This is the same God who has planned everything in the universe to fall into place at just the right time and in just the right way so His plans for you will be fulfilled.

 

Remember!  It's a good thing!  

Consider

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2

As we share the Christmas Season with our loved ones, I would ask that you take a moment to consider those for whom the Christmas Season is a painful time.  How could it possibly be a painful time?  Perhaps due to the death of a family member; perhaps because of being new to the area and no friends have been made as yet; perhaps because there are no funds to provide even the basic essentials for their family.

You see, God has blessed each of us and we are to be good stewards of what God has provided.  Consider sharing a bit of your Christmas with someone who isn't so fortunate.  Consider inviting someone who has no family to share with your family.  Consider encouraging and sharing love with those who have family who have died. Consider remind others that the arrival of Christ brings hope, and then share your hope with someone who may be hopeless.  Befriend the person who may not have any friends as yet.

Every person's story is different and every person is in need of something, and it is God's instruction to us to share with others, and in so doing, needs are met.

We are instructed to share each other's burdens.  Therefore, SHARE YOUR CARE!!!
 

What Will Be Your Last Words?

"...Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age."

Matthew 28:20b 

 

There has been quite a lot of discussion, even volumes of books written, on the last words of Jesus.  Now, normally, the "last words" are the last thing that is said before we die.  But, consider that Jesus died.....then CAME BACK!  Therefore, I would like to look at this from a slightly different angle.

 

I have a confession to make: a while back, I got angry with my bride about something ultimately insignificant, and I stormed off to bed without a word.  And, as per God's usual practice, I was smacked wide awake at 3:17am the next morning with the burning question from God: "If I called you home right now, what would her last memory of you be?"

 

I've been poked between the eyes and head slapped by God before, and it was a humbling experience.  But this time it was different.  The more I thought about the question, the more my heart broke!  What last memory of me would I want my bride to have?

 

According to Matthew, the last thing Jesus told His Disciples was that He would be with then EVERY DAY until the end of the age.  That's quite a comforting thought to leave them with.

 

I have since been able to ask the same question of others: If the next breath was your last on this earth, what would be the memory your spouse would have of you?  Would it be someone so angry that they just cannot see past the rage?  Would it be someone who laughed and didn't take life seriously but took their relationships seriously?  Would it be someone who was so filled with compassion that they couldn't help but reach out to others?  Would it be that you were a complete idiot who just had to put everyone down?

 

What will be the last memory others have of you?