MEMORIES ABOUT GOD ARE THE BEST

Eternal Perspectives              by Sally Bair

I recently spent time with my sister to edit our life stories. We’re each writing a memoir about our childhood spent as identical twins. Along with her husband, who also grew up in the same area, we reminisced about the past. Many events and details that we thought we’d forgotten came back to mind.

Memories are like that. We recall them through our journals and diaries, and we share them during family get-togethers. As we remember a few, we recall others, and others, until they fill our minds like a tapestry waiting to be finished.

Memories can help us understand our present circumstances. As I write my memoir, I’m surprised how many of my remembrances show me a different perspective about my life. And they also remind me that I have the choice of which memories I want to keep and which I need to erase. When we keep the negative ones alive, we may tend to view our world as dark and dangerous. Positive memories, however—the ones that bring a laugh or a smile—can bring healing, health and joy. Others who hear us share good memories, and even bad memories that we can laugh about now, can’t help but rejoice with us.

God shows us the value of good memories through His Word. After He led His people across the Red Sea into freedom, He told them through Moses to “remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out of this place ….” (Exodus 13:3)

King David, who faced many hardships and threats, took refuge in his memories of the Lord’s past help. “I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.” (Psalm 77:11)

The more time we spend in God’s Word and in remembering the good things, the more we will remember His mercies. In doing so, we will keep a positive outlook regardless what is going on around us. And when we do tend to forget, God sends help. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [Jesus], will … bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26)

Lord, thank You for memories. Show us by Your Holy Spirit how best to use them for Your glory and our spiritual, mental and physical health. In Jesus’ name, amen.