Forgetful

Are you forgetful? I am. 

Reading through old journals and letters never fails to delight. Surprise. And confound. Highlighting my forgetfulness about experiences and facts from our personal history.

“Don’t forget” and “remember” are two exhortations. Repeated in Scripture. For good reason.

“Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live.
Teach them to your children and your grandchildren.”
Deuteronomy 4:9 CSB

Remember?

“Do you remember this?” I ask my husband. 

Then read an account from the 1990s. During our Karachi years. 

We remember the civil unrest. Death counts in the newspaper. Police stations taken out with rocket-propelled grenades. 

But this entry recounts a time we were out shopping. And had to hide in a store. Because of a gunfight in the parking lot. 

The store manager hurriedly ushered us to the very back, away from windows. Away from danger.

A stranger’s hospitality. Taking us in. Providing care for us. 

God’s protection through his kindness. 

Don’t forget.

Reminders

Another time, I read an entry detailing a gospel conversation with someone. 

Named. 

Who we knew. 

Evidently.

And words shared, questions asked are written down with care. Specifics. Revealing the fabric of relationship. Friendship.

Yet neither of us even remember that name. Much less what the person looked like. 

And I thank God for journaled memories. Reminders of how He is always at work.

Great is His faithfulness. 

Forgetful

Sometimes I blame forgetfulness on age. Or the many places we’ve lived. 

But the truth is, we are a forgetful people.

And our Father knows we need to remember.  

Why? Because remembrance builds our faith. 

Undergirds our walk with Him. 

And helps us encourage one another in the Lord.

Remembrance

As the Body of Christ we practice remembering. Together. 

“Do this in remembrance of Me,” Jesus said (Luke 22:19).

So we share the bread and the cup. His body given, His blood shed. 

Testifying to one another about the work of the gospel.

Today, listen to admonition of the Lord. “Don’t forget.” “Remember.” 

Why? For our good. And His glory.

What about you?

How do you practice remembrance? What helps you recount the work of His hands? Have you testified lately to all He’s done?

Related posts

Don’t forget – Remember – Turn your eyes – God’s inner work – Fog – Rhythm and order – Remembrance –

Deuteronomy 4:9 – Psalm 105:1-6 – Luke 22:19-20 – 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 –