REMEMBER

It's a snowy Saturday morning in January. The house is more quiet. The normal street traffic sounds outside our front door have given way to the sounds of snowblowers. This is our first real snow here at this address. It will soon be one year that we began the journey of caring for this house. And we all know that whenever we reach a "one year ago" point in time, we REMEMBER. Our minds begin to say, "REMEMBER when....?"

This snow reminds me of our very first visit to this house. A year ago no one was taking care of this house. We had to trudge through snow and slush to get to the front door. And inside, we had no idea how warm and comfortable the house could feel. As we inspected the back part of the property, we had no idea what was buried under the snow; walkways, grass, flowerbeds?

After a year of hard work, it is satisfying to REMEMBER how things used to be. It encourages me to see how far we've come in such a short time. 


Do you ever look back at things in your life like this? REMEMBER how it was "back in the day?" I suppose as we get older we do that more often. Our world today moves at such a fast pace. We have become quite accustomed to change. In fact we have become so comfortable with change that we often forget to look back and REMEMBER. We can learn a lot by looking back and reflecting.


I remember one situation in my life that was particularly trying. It was difficult. A relationship in my life was painful and broken. I even stopped praying about it because I didn't have any faith to see things get better. Then one day, a few years later, I was reflecting. I was aware that things had changed. As I REMEMBERED how things used to be, and now observed how different the relationship was, I was encouraged. It renewed my faith in God...He was surely working in spite of my lack of faith and trust. What a wonderful loving God.


I encourage you to use some of these quiet cozy winter days to REMEMBER. What challenges have you been facing over the past years? How have things changed? Look for the kindness and goodness of God. It is there...if only we take time to REMEMBER.

"I will REMEMBER the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will REMEMBER your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds."

Psalm 77:11-12

God tells us many places throughout His Word to REMEMBER what he has done. He especially wants us to REMEMBER the covenant He made with us through the shed blood of Jesus. Live with that in mind today.