This photo is etched in my mind, a moment I love to remember. I can hear the waves rolling in and out, feel the warm salty breeze on my face, see the sand covering my toes and recall the barbie she had to have in her sweet, little hand. This memory matters because it reminds me of our family and dear friends, and I reflect on it with gratitude.

It can be the unexpected moments like a surprise party, a move across the country maybe a new furry friend enters the family that remains fixed in your memory. Or perhaps you had something quite stunning such as a pillar of cloud that led you in the day, and a pillar of fire during the night to light the way you should go. Or maybe a satisfying memory like bread falling from heaven for hunger and water out of a rock for thirst? Yah, those things happen almost weekly right? Something like that surely you would not forget! The Israelites had those miraculous signs provided for them and the memory just did not stick. But God still took care of their needs despite their forgetfulness. In Nehemiah 9:15-21 reminds us,”

“In their hunger you gave them bread from heaven and in their thirst you brought them water from the rock; you told them to go in and take possession of the land you had sworn with uplifted hand to give them.¹⁶ “But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey your commands. ¹⁷ They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, ¹⁸ even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, ‘This is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt,’ or when they committed awful blasphemies. Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take. ²⁰ You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. ²¹ For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.”

I think I just might remember those signs and hold fast to them and remember God’s faithfulness. Not so fast, I too have memories fade and moments remain fragmented of the goodness of God. How can we keep these important memories alive? It’s through the reading of his word and acknowledging the ways God provided time and time again. Also, we need others to remind us of his kindness in our lives when we can’t seem see it clearly or simply forget. A community of friends that chooses to remind us, pray and listen. Recently, I was blessed with words of encouragement and wisdom from women in my life that are passionate about motherhood. This was a blessing and enabled me to see God’s faithfulness in amazing and tangible ways. It was a timely reminder of what God has done and trusting what he will do! Remembering is key to our growth and I am thankful for friends in my life reminding me to make memories matter and moments stick.

2 responses to “Making Memories Matter and Moments Stick”

1. Ah yes do we need reminding or what. Such a teaching reflection to kick in to gear our need to remember the goodness, mercy and grace of God in our lives . The body of Christ serves that purpose coming alongside us albeit maybe keeping 6 ft in mind!?
   It’s hard to see the picture while you’re inside the frame… God and friends/ family give us perspective.

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   • Even if 6ft we can still connect!! Love this!

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