Precious Memories

Chuckle: A patient awakened after the operation to find herself in a room with all the blinds drawn. "Why are all the blinds closed?" she asked the doctor. "Well," the surgeon responded, "they're fighting a huge wildfire across the street, and we didn't want you to wake up and think the operation had failed."

Good Quote: “God created memories so that we might have roses in December.” --Italo Svevo

"I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about them" (Psalm 77:11-12 NLT).

When I conduct a funeral, I usually remind the family that both their capacity to grieve the loss of a loved one and to remember the wonderful blessings of that life are gifts from God.

Just stop and think about the intricacies of the human brain and spirit that make grieving and remembering possible -- not to mention all the other amazing functions our brains perform. The more you think about these two capabilities, the more amazing and miraculous they become. They remind us of the omnipotence of our Heavenly Father who wonderfully created each of us and faithfully sustains us.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.” –Laurence Binyon

Right now, let's use our ability to remember and think about all the great things God has done for us and our families. Remember how God, because of His great love, came into your life with His miraculous plan of redemption through His Son's atoning sacrifice. Remember how He continues to work in your life through His Word and His powerful indwelling Holy Spirit. Remember how He has arranged circumstances in your life that show how deeply He cares for you. Remember how He gave you your spouse, your children, your ability to work and earn a living, your sense of humor, your precious friends, your brothers and sisters in Christ, and everyone and everything of value to you.

Remember, in times past, when His Word brought you peace and comfort during difficult times in your life; how the presence of the Holy Spirit has brought you joy from knowing God is with you no matter what. When you face new and unexpected trials, take the time to remember, reflect, and review how His goodness has sustained you in the past. As you remember, your faith will be strengthened, your hope in Him will become absolute assurance, and your faithfulness to Him will be reaffirmed.

The chorus of the old hymn: "Precious memories, How they linger; How they ever flood my soul. In the stillness of the midnight, Precious sacred scenes unfold." Let's thank God for the ability to remember and for the precious memories that bring great joy to our lives.

Love, Jerry & Dotse.