What comes to mind when you hear the word “REMEMBER?”
Do you immediately think of your insane to-do list? To feed the dog? To call your mom? To pick up milk at the store? To read your Bible??
Or does your mind flash back to a memory? Perhaps a sweet one from your childhood. Or maybe you find yourself desperately trying to forget a painful memory.
This past Sunday, I listened as a speaker talked about this word “remember” and it stirred up a host of emotions within me. She described a difficult season of her life when she found herself not knowing what to pray. Her friend suggested that she just start to remember. When she did, she saw God’s faithfulness within her life and marriage and it began to revive her.
Have you ever been there? I certainly have, as you may have gathered from my story.
Some of my memories are so sweet: a blessed childhood, a fairytale wedding, and two beautiful babies being born to this barren woman.
And some are laced with sorrow: the death of my brother thirteen years ago this Sunday, years of infertility, and some close friendships that were lost along the way.
But, thankfully, I’m not the only one doing the remembering. There is a faithful God who remembers ME! He sees me and my struggles and He remembers me. Just like He did Noah in the flood, the Israelites in the desert, and Hannah in her barrenness.
So, today I am remembering my brother, Jeremy, and his contagious joy; so much joy that his friends termed the phrase “his joy remembered” in honor of his life. And I am remembering a depth that has formed in my relationship with my sister over the past several years. I also remember my steadfast husband who has held me through all my brokenhearted moments and has rejoiced with me through the good times. I am reminded of how he supports my hopes and dreams and that there is no one else that I would want to share this life with. I remember the precious gift of motherhood and my sweet daughters’ smiles and laughter. And I remember how God has been good to give me the most special and rewarding set of friends that any girl could ever ask for or imagine.
But most of all, I am remembering a faithful God who is sovereign in all His ways!
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced…
He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations…
Psalm 105
What are you remembering today, Friend?