Remember

I have wanted to write about the concept of remembering for well over a week now. Especially with Memorial Day coming. But every time I sat down to do so, I couldn't type. I knew why too.

I wasn't ready. God had more to show me. And to be honest there's a whole lot more I need to see, but one way I "see" is to write it out. So here goes...

Think with me of all the ways remembering is highlighted in our culture:

In history~ Remember the Alamo!

In the movies~ Remember the Titans.

In songs like Bob Hope's “Thanks for the memories." It’s fitting to remember his devotion to our military and his desire that they be remembered. A quote from Bob Hope’s web site says, "Stop, pause and remember those men and women in uniform who have given their lives to protect our freedoms."

I hope you will.

My grandfather died in WW II. My dad is a retired soldier who was part of Desert Storm. Growing up military I saw things many people don’t see. Things that were seared into my heart which compel me stand tall and honor the men and women who serve our country. To honor the flag and the freedom they defend.

Things worth remembering.

Touching the Berlin Wall and listening to rifles in the distance remind East Berliners that freedom wasn’t theirs.

Looking into the eyes of an elderly East Berliner and seeing no hope of ever tasting freedom.

Holding the flag that draped my grandfather's coffin.

Waiting for my dad to come home from the Middle East, wondering if he would.

I learned first hand that freedom isn’t free.

But why remember? Why is remembering so important?

George Santayana said, “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

I agree. Look at history. George Bernard Shaw once said, “We learn from history that we learn nothing from history.”

But we can. If we remember.

“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” Maya Angelou

More reasons to remember are found throughout the pages of Scriptures. Over and over the children of Israel are encouraged to remember.

Remember that you were slaves.

Remember how the Lord your God led you.

Remember His commands.

God Himself through the prophet Isaiah commands us to remember.

Paul bids us in Colossians to “Remember my chains.”

We hear as we eat the bread and drink the wine (or grape juice) “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

Why?

Because when we fail to remember we fall.

When we forget we were (as in past tense) slaves, we continue to act like slaves.

When we forget the Lord’s awesome power and goodness, we complain and strive to meet our needs our own way.

When we forget His commands, we make our own rules to live by and end up worshiping ourselves and not God.

And when we forget His grace, we decide this life is too hard and we give up.

So God in His infinite wisdom sent the Holy Spirit who, “will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

And on days like today, when I choose to be angry with someone who’s hurt me instead of forgive, God sends people like my best friend to be His voice. Through her, the Lord reminds me of the truth, making it up close and personal as only my best friend can.

She clearly and with great love holds up a mirror so I'll see my sin and the inevitable consequences. She also reminds me that God created me for Himself, for good. And even the rotten things of life, He promises He will bring good out of them.

She walks with the Lord and calls me out to do the same.

To remember.

Why?

In her words, “I remind you of the truth because I love you.”

Through her sometimes hard to hear words of correction, I hear my Savior’s call.

“Come to Me.” He says.

Why?

Because He knows me best and loves me most.

And that is worth remembering.