Today marks 38 years of marriage for Debbie and me. 38 years, 6 houses, 4 kids, 6 grandkids and counting. It means a lot of memories. We have an album of our grandkids that scrolls on our TV, and we fully enjoy the chronicling of their lives from birth to the present. As Babs would say, “Memories light the corners of my mind.” Remembering is an enjoyable thing, and can be instructive as well.
The Passover feast for the Jew was established as a remembrance. “So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord throughout your generations” (Exodus 12:14). In the same way, Jesus instituted His supper for us to remember His death on the cross. “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me'” (Luke 22:19). By remembering His death for us, we are thankful, and strengthened in our faith.
As we develop relationships with brethren, we make many important and precious memories. It may be that we have moved several times, and have left brethren behind. We remember them fondly. For me personally, all the meetings I have held through the years leave me with wonderful remembrances. I may not be able to access every name, but I am encouraged by the warm hospitality and open hearts I have met over our entire nation, and other parts of the world. Paul felt this way toward his beloved church in Philippi, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5). We also remember the generations before who blazed a path of righteousness that we follow. “The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot” (Proverbs 10:7).
We also can bring to mind the many blessings that we have received from the Lord. Sometimes, however, we get too busy or distracted, and fail to consider all that the Lord has done. When we pray to God, can we not see the difference between saying “Thank you for all the blessings you give us”, and listing each blessing by name? One takes thought, it takes remembering – the other can be a matter of mere rote. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Psalm 103:2-5).
Sometimes you hear about old folks, sitting in their rocking chairs day after day, saying that “All I have left are my memories.” We may think that is a sad thing. But, while stuck inside for weeks at a time, those memories bring great comfort and joy!
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