A Place Of Springs
The Importance Of Remembering
Photo By: Flickr/Hartwig HKD
Our ability to remember is an incredible gift. I call it a gift because the one who gave it, our God, gave it to us packaged within our faculties. It is like a little box that we can take out and reach into and pull out images, smells and feelings of the past that can either lift us up or bring us down. But I believe that the Lord intended our memories to be used to strengthen us for the day and for the future. Even those memories of sadness are to be seen in the backdrop of a larger picture.
“…then take heed lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Deuteronomy 6:12
The importance of remembering the bigger blessing is that as we live through the moments of the day, of the weeks, of the years, we may see the living of every breath within the blessing of the gift of Life.
Consider a couple worn by many years, looking at each other and remembering their first love for each other. Or a mother, tired after the end of the day, looking at her rambunctious toddler and remembering her joy when she first beheld her new-born child. Or a young man looking upon his aged, dying father with whom he has had a difficult relationship, thinking back to when he was a boy, and when his father was his hero.
Think of siblings separated by different adult paths, remembering the laughter they shared. Or a lonely old woman sitting in her room with no one to talk to, looking at old photographs and reminiscing all the places she has visited when she was young.
Each memory lifting the shadow of the present; each memory renewing the promise of the past.
In a world that suffers violence and strife, the memory of war and darkness strengthens the resolve to live in peace. The memory of divisions amongst peoples renews the determination to live united.
But the ultimate remembrance that truly unites and strengthens us, is the Eucharist of the Lord, which we celebrate until He comes again. The Eucharist, the sweet memory of what our Lord Jesus did for the love of us; of giving His life for the salvation of the world.
It is within the heart of this memory that every other memory finds its anchor, its justification, its healing, its hope.
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About the Author
Sarah is from the state of Kerala in India. She and her husband have 4 grown children. They have lived in India, Mauritius, Dubai, Singapore and Seattle before moving to New Orleans, where they currently reside. Sarah has an M.Phil. in Psychiatric Social Work and has worked in the area of Special Needs and counselled with pro-life organizations. She has also been actively involved in teaching catechism and in pro-life groups in the churches of the various countries the family has lived in. She loves cooking for family and friends, making music and singing in choirs. She enjoys writing, arts and crafts and is currently into making earrings. Find her on Facebook.
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