Short Term Memory

I think the one thing, or as some are calling it, my “word for 2021”, that God is continuously saying to me lately is “Remember”.

I swear the older I get the more and more forgetful I seem to be becoming. It’s like I’ve reached my threshold or something on things to remember?!  You know, like a cup that keeps getting slowly filled up until it finally reaches its limit and anything else that goes in just overflows, spills out, dries up, and it’s gone.  Well, that’s me and my memory cup these days.  But you know, I keep getting reminded of that simple word, “remember”.  I keep seeing it in different places, I keep hearing it on the radio or in conversations and for whatever reason, of all the words being heard or read, the word “remember” stands out the most in those moments.  So it got me to thinking/reflecting/praying…”Lord, what is it you’re wanting me to ‘remember’”? 

Only a mother will totally understand what I’m about to say, but anyone can relate, if you’ve ever received an award that hurt like Hades to get!!  Carrying a baby is so incredibly taxing on a woman’s body, and giving birth is so horrifically painful that there really aren’t any words in existence to describe it (I know a few that come close, but they’re not exactly “fun for the whole family” to hear).  But in the end, the blessing of holding that sweet little baby is so rewarding and SO worth every ounce of difficulty you went through!!!  And isn’t it amazing how quickly women are able to forget all of that pain, once it’s over…and even more astonishing is how so many are almost immediately ready to have another one?!

Count it all as joy!!  There is joy IN the pain (the pain itself isn’t the joy), because you know the reward that’s coming!!

I use this comparison because I feel like this is how we seem to experience God’s gifts and blessings and even miracles.  We toil, we worry, we pray, we stress, we eat, we gain weight (ok maybe that’s just me), we stress some more, and we pray some more, only harder…and then, God provides (ALWAYS)…in His perfect time and in His perfect way…the reward comes!!!!  And almost immediately…we forget.  Why is this???  We’re almost immediately right back to worrying again, right back to carrying the next burden…as if we’ve never experienced the VICTORY that is sure to follow…AGAIN…every…single…time!!

As for me, ya’ll I’m not gonna lie…sometimes my struggles just overwhelm me and there has been…. * clearing my throat * ….a time or two in which I may or may not have responded in a way that would ever be referred to, in any language, as flattering, polished, or even respectable…then later I have to do the “walk of shame” (find a quiet space) to talk it over with God because I realize just how quickly I can forget the goodness, the gentleness, the kindness, the patience, and grace that He reveals to me every single day….and would also like for me to reflect.  I tend to experience each triumph over every trial the same way I experienced childbirth; burden followed by blessing…only in reverse.  I face trials every day, and every day God triumphs, but then how quickly I forget His unfailing love and provisions when the next trial comes along….and I’m right back to begging him for help…worrying about how long it will take to get it…even doubting sometimes that THIS time the help will even come……and the saga continues!!    

God says He is working ALL things for the good of those who love Him.  The scripture doesn’t say that He works “some things”, or “most things”. God says “ALL THINGS”!!  (Romans 8:28)   How do we KNOW that this is true?  Well…let’s just examine the evidence of our lives!!  How many things has He brought YOU through to this point?!  If you’re reading this then you’re obviously an overcomer!!  That too DID pass….it may have passed like a kidney stone but the point is it passed and you’re on the other side…you overcame!!!

Why is that so easy to forget?

I think what God is wanting me to do (and maybe you too), is to PAUSE, to BE STILL, and reflect (remember) all the times He’s brought me through.  He wants me to PAUSE in each tough moment and remember all the times (even very recently for me) He’s never failed to show up, to correct, to heal, and to provide HOPE in the face of the impossible!!  He wants me, and you, to remember THAT time (you know the one) that just seemed so hopeless and like we’d never get through it.  But look at us…all “walking in victory” and stuff!! 

He wants us to REMEMBER that our worry is in vein…because His promises never will be!!!!

“But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.” Psalms 77:11-12

“He is the one you praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.” Deuteronomy 10:21

And in case you need one more……

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope, and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

So how about we all start practicing “the pause” in those tough moments……..take a deep breath……and REMEMBER.  Hold tight to God’s word, Trust the process, Stand on your faith, REMEMBER the winnings, Learn from the loses, Count each blessing….and RELAX….God’s got you!!!  

Stay authentic my friends!!

Crystal