Today is our youngest daughter Shontelle's 17th birthday, and as always, my family laughed at me for my habit of reflecting and saying a lot, "I remember".
Birthdays and any other markers on the calendar tend to make you remember important events, people in your world, experiences and places you've been. I remember learning I was expecting each one of our children, their births, milestones and special moments that I treasure with them. I remember the first time I saw my husband and the moment he said I love you for the first time. I remember times when God has spoken to me or revealed something more of Himself. I remember visions and dreams and encounters with Him.
I think it's important to remember milestones and important details in our lives, all the good things God has done, and how far we have come in our journey.
Life goes by so fast, and it's helpful to mentally and emotionally pause from time to time and take mental snapshots, so we can store away in our hearts and thoughts what we are experiencing so we can remember.
The Bible is full of remembering. Of when and where God would show up on the scene and deliver or reveal Himself to people. When this happened, individuals or whole families would leave a marker or build a memorial to remind themselves and their descendants of what God had done for them every time they passed that spot. (Joshua 4:4-7)
Those memorials served as a testimony of who God was and is, and when noted and remembered, helped them continue to believe and have faith in his plan and purpose for their lives as they went forward.
Today I encourage you to reflect and remember when and where God has spoken, shown up or revealed Himself to you. Remember the milestones, blessings and all the people in your world and how far you have come.
Even if you have negatives, if you keep moving forward and learn and grow, those things can be turned into a positive or become a strength rather than a weakness. It doesn't have to be huge because I've discovered that when you reflect and remember, you'll start to see God's hand on your life and how He has led you this far.
Be blessed as you remember today.
"Let His grace and mercy comfort you, and remind you of His unfailing love." (Psalm 143:4.)
Prayer: Lord, thank you for everything you have done in my life and the people you have brought into my world. Please help me to remember to reflect and give thanks for the moments, so I don't forget them and all you have done. In Jesus name Amen.
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