When This You See… (Sabbatical Post)

 

The mother of my grandchildren, my daughter Bethany, does a great job of giving thoughtful gifts. Gifts that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

 

This past Mother’s Day was no different. She showed up with a framed piece of art with handprints of the three kids. I’m sure it wasn’t easy getting the two-year old and the four-month old to cooperate, but it looks great.

 

The verse that goes with the handprints says, “Baba may hold our hands for a little while, but she will hold our hearts forever.”

 

There are other items around my house that are reminders of my grandchildren. Of course, Joy has overtaken my home with her name in many pieces of décor. Grace now has a prominent place in my living room. Percy and Archer share a photo frame that sit on top of the entertainment center.

 

There are Willow Tree figurines. Photographs. Artwork. Toys. A highchair. A baby swing. Child protective electric outlet covers.

 

All of these little reminders are in place so that I might remember my grandchildren. With my past memory issues, maybe this isn’t so far-fetched. But at this stage in my life, I certainly would never forget my babies!

 

I have a little sampler that hangs in my bathroom that says, “When this you see remember me.”

 

There is a little part of us that perhaps believes someone just might forget us. That we might fall through the cracks in another’s mind. That we might not be as unforgettable as we’d like.

 

How blessed we are that we are not far from our heavenly Father’s thoughts. And we have that assurance from Scripture.

 

In the Old Testament, we read of God remembering those He loved. Noah (Genesis 8:1), Abraham (Genesis 19:29), Rachel (Genesis 30:22), Hannah (1 Samuel 1:19), Israel (Psalm 98:3; Psalm 115:12), and King David (Psalm 119:49).

 

In the New Testament, Jesus remembered the thief on the cross (Luke 23:42-43).

 

But throughout Scripture we see glimpses of what God remembers (and doesn’t remember).

 

God remembered His covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:15-16). God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exodus 2:24). God remembered the covenant He made to a thousand generations (Psalm 105:8; Psalm 105:42; Psalm 106:45). God remembered us in our low estate (Psalm 136:23). God did not remember our sin (Isaiah 43:25). God remembered to be merciful (Luke 1:54). God remembered gifts to the poor (Acts 10:31). God doesn’t remember our sin and lawless acts (Hebrews 10:17).

 

Remembrance is not a one way street however. God has asked us to remember too.

 

Remember the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8). Remember the commands of the Lord (Numbers 15:39-40). Remember the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 8:18; Nehemiah 4:14). Remember what God has done (1 Chronicles 16:12). Remember His covenant and obey His precepts (Psalm 103:18). Remember God’s ways (Isaiah 64:5). Remember this (2 Corinthians 9:6). Remember our former state (Ephesians 2:11-13). Remember hospitality and prisoners (Hebrews 13:1-3). Remember our leaders (Hebrews 13:7). Remember this (James 5:20). Remember the words of Christ and the apostles (Jude 1:17).

 

Unfortunately, our memories aren’t as good as they should be. I sometimes seem to forget God completely. It’s at those moments when I must cry out to God and ask forgiveness. Then I must make an extra effort to remember all that He has done for me. To remember where I was and that I don’t want to wind up there again.

 

There are so many things to remember, but we have a special gift from our heavenly Father to help us. As a believer, we have His Holy Spirit within us to remind us of all we’ve learned. Jesus offered these words in John 14:26 (NIV). “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” How blessed we are to have this wonderful gift!

 

So, how is your memory? Do you remember all that God has done for you? Do you remember to spend time with God? Do you remember to acknowledge Him throughout your day?

 

If you struggle with this, why not place strategic items around your life to remind you to think of God. For me, it may be the sampler in my bathroom that sparks my memory to praise God. It might be a verse of Scripture hung in my office. It might be a small rock in my purse that when touched prompts me to think of God. It might be an alarm set on my phone. These are just some of my ways to remember God throughout my day.

 

Yours may be completely different and I would love to hear how you remember God. Why not leave me a comment to tell me how you do so? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

 

What it boils down to is that we must try to remember God as we go about our busy lives, because He is remembering us. All the time.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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