When my granddaughter Joy was younger, bath time for the two of us was special and so enjoyable. A couple times a week, I’d get the chance to sit with her while she splashed, laughed, colored, and many other memorable types of play in the tub. One of which was singing. We would sing all kinds of music. Mostly children’s music, but still, it was so much fun to hear a child sing about Jesus or the alphabet.

When it came time to wash her hair, we’d jump to my favorite musical, “South Pacific,” and sing, “I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair. I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair. I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair and send him on his way.” Then I’d let Joy take the floor and she’d say, “Get the picture?” It always brought a smile to my face to hear that phrase in her little voice.

It’s been a long time since I’ve given Joy a bath and with that, haven’t sung this song in quite a while. A few weeks ago, out of the blue, I decided to sing this song. I started and when I got to her part, she didn’t say anything. So I filled in for her. I repeated the words again, and again, she didn’t respond, so I did once more. Then she asked, “Why do you keep saying that?” She didn’t remember. None of it. I don’t even know if she remembered any of the bath times we had shared. Needless to say, I was disappointed. These moments were special, very precious to me and it wasn’t even a memory to her.

I suspect this is exactly the reason God gave us a particular command in Deuteronomy 6:6-9. “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”

God knew that we’d forget. Forget His commandments and His promises. Life would get in the way or maybe we’d simply grow up and forget all that He has given us. Forget and take for granted the promises He made to us. Oh, how I want to remember. All of it. Peter writes a tiny verse in 2 Peter 1:13. He says, “I think it is right to refresh your memory…” Yes! It is right to refresh our memories of some of God’s promises. They are too numerous to recount here, but a few might jolt your memory to dig a little deeper.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:38)

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

 “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1)

These are just a few, but maybe these are a few that can be memorized, kept in our hearts, impressed upon our children, or written on our doorframes. God doesn’t want us to forget. “Get the picture?”

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna