Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Memory (07/10/08)
-
TITLE: Memory Maker | Previous Challenge Entry
By Donna Varnes
07/13/08 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Memory is a funny thing. Often the things we wish most to forget are the vey things we think about—the horrible things, the hurtful things, the embarrassments and the failures. But God has a different plan for us. Phil. 4:8 instructs us to think about whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. It goes on to say “If there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Those lovely, pure things of good report often get shoved to the background in our hectic lifestyles. Sometimes, no matter how we try, it’s the negative thoughts that fill our minds. It takes planning and work to think on these praiseworthy things.
Over the years I’ve tried various means to hold onto those good memories—to showcase them. For one thing, I write about them. I write out our family stories and I write out my prayers. I use a prayer journal with space left to record the answers in another color of ink.
Once I found an old journal from years earlier where I had cried out to the Lord all my worries, concerns and fears. It amazed me how everything in there was no longer an issue. The things I had been fearful of had never come to pass. God had in each instance met our needs and changed the course of events so inconspicuously and worked out everything so naturally, that the answers had not even been noticed. Like a rose unfolding gradually, day by day.
I had not made note of exactly how God had pulled it off, but here I was standing on the other side of the trial, safe and sound, looking back trying to remember God’s creative solution. Now I write my prayer answers as they happen, right on my calendar so I can see and savor the memory.
Then there are the happy times, the family vacations, the weddings, births, graduations, hugs from loved ones, visits from friends and family. I don’t want them forgotten. I want them in the forefront. Therefore my home is full of pictures—pictures of the good things I want to remember. After forty years of marriage, six children and seventeen grandchildren, the walls could not contain all those memories. So the best of the best goes up and there are twenty-seven albums to contain the rest, not including the videos of school plays, baptisms and all the beautiful scenery along the way.
Of course I scrapbook, saving the baby’s lock of hair, tickets from the awesome concert we attended, the card from the restaurant my husband took me to for our anniversary. It’s all there. So on my blue days, and yes I have blue days, I can go back and jog my memory, remind myself of all my blessings, all I have and all I’ve experienced, all the beauty in the world, and most of all—the faithfulness and goodness of God.
That kind of memory is based on the past, however it is even more important to create a special memory today, and to do so on purpose. I’ve heard it said, “Life is what happens while you are making other plans.” It is of course true that we can’t control many of the events of our lives. Yet we can make sure that we take the time to plan for making a family memory worth remembering.
Having seventeen grandchildren makes it hard to spend quality time with any of them. That is why my husband and I decided years ago that starting with the oldest, each summer we would take just one of the grandchildren on a special trip, often out-of-state. They each know whose turn it is and that grandchild looks forward to their special time with Grandma and Grandpa. Some of these trips have been to the San Diego Zoo, Carlsbad Caverns, Christian concerts, and even to visit cousins they had never met. I encourage them to make a scrapbook of their trip.
Taking time to ensure that there will be plenty of extraordinary future memories to record is a gift you can give to your family and loved ones, and even strangers. It doesn’t always have to be an expensive or time consuming event. Even doing an unexpected kindness for someone sticks in their memory as well as yours. So use your memory wisely. Fill it with good things. Better yet, create a memory even God will take notice of.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Thank you!