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Forgetting is Good
A little fact about me: I’m one of the BEST secret keepers of all time. It’s not why you’d think though. It isn’t because I have the most self control or because I am that devoted of a friend, or God has given me this amazing gift. It’s because I am forgetful. Like, I forget a LOT of things. So if you were to tell me a secret, chances are I’d forget it anyway so you can be sure I’d never tell.
That little fact has done me a lot of good like when the kids do something wrong, or my husband says something that isn’t pleasing. It doesn’t take me very long to “forgive and forget”. But there have also been times that little truth about me has been my downfall. For example: birthdays, pregnancies, days of the week, appointments (thank goodness for Outlook), grocery list items, I could go on, but I can’t remember the rest.
Forgetting is Bad
But I think the area where my gift of forgetting things is the worst for me is my faith. God is so good, y’all. I mean, He really is. He provides for us daily, he gives me special people in my life that are so loving and caring, he makes the bleak winter turn into a beautiful spring. But how many times during the week or even day do I forget how GOOD God really is? How many times am I like the Isrealites groaning and complaining about what I “need” that I forget to remember all of the ways He has shown His goodness, provision, and love to me?
You see, in the Old Testament, we read how God SAVED his people from oppression and slavery from the Egyptians. They complained in their slavery, and God delivered (Exodus 2:23) God sent plagues to Egypt until Pharaoh finally gave in to let the people go. But he later changed his mind and pursued them. The Israelites cried and complained. Then God literally opened the Red Sea up, allowing the Israelites to pass through on dry ground and then confused the Egyptian army and swept them away in the sea. Again, God provided. Continuing on in Exodus we read time and time again how the Israelites focused on their lack instead of leaning into God’s love. This was a problem for them back then, and it is for certain a problem I have today. That’s why God has laid it on my heart to REMEMBER.
What Do I Remember?
REMEMBER His love and His grace. REMEMBER His mercy. And most of all, REMEMBER His work on the cross and resurrection. Every. Single. Day. But again, like the Israelites, I forget. I get to lunchtime and my day seems to fall apart and I say something like “Why does this always happen?” Or its raining for, like, the hundredth day in a row, and I’m in such a funk I say something like, “I hate the rain. I just need sun.” And then the sun comes and, “It’s so hot. Is there even an in between?” I seriously am shaking my head at how ridiculous this sounds, I can’t imagine how God thinks of me sometimes. Then I’m reminded of HIS GRACE and HIS LOVE. Thank you, Jesus, for those!
How Do I Remember?
In the Old Testament, when the Israelites wanted to remember what God had done for them, they set up stones as reminders not only to them, but the generations that came after them. I don’t put up stones, but there are other ways to remember God’s goodness. One way is to start a prayer journal. I’m getting better at doing this, but how cool would it be for those who read it years from now to be able to read my remembrances of God providing and showing Himself through the years? If I’m being honest though, it takes time and sometimes I just don’t take the time.
That being said, an even easier way to REMEMBER is something I try to do every night before I go to bed. I recall 5 moments that God revealed himself to me that day either through good news received, precious moments with my husband and/or kids, a sweet conversation had with a friend, a beautiful sunset, a warm or cool home, a good meal (especially one I didn’t have to make), and the list goes on and on and on. This allows me to REMEMBER and be grateful for all He has done for me.
So I am thankful that God laid the reminder to REMEMBER on my heart. Because it is up to me. No one is going to remember for me. I may be challenged by some to do so, but the daily act of coming to God at the end of the day and being grateful for the ways He revealed Himself to me that day is up to me. So if you are with me feeling sometimes that you complain more to God than come to God with a thankful heart, let this be a challenge to you. I can’t open your mouth, but I can try to help open your mind.
Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
“I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.” -Psalm 77:12
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