"Young Enough to Remember!"

I am not one who remembers everything in my childhood.  I can sometimes remember faces, I can recall experiences and sometimes something will trigger a memory I didn't realize I had.  This is not due to age,  (for those of you who were thinking) it has always been that way.  My sister recalls EVERYTHING, she remembers family, their children's names, our old neighborhood and the people who lived next to us that made hot tortillas with butter.   She can go into a complete dialog describing settings, people, what was said, and who was there from over 40 years ago, and on occasion I will remember... just a bit.  Sometimes I ask myself is it is necessary to remember my youth, am I missing something by having this - what I call 'a gift of forgetting'?  

THE GIFT OF FORGETTING

For years now I have told people that I have a gift of forgetting, and in turn they would tell me to pray and ask God to help me remember.   They would use the scripture "The memory of the just is blessed.." Prov 10:7 ; and would tell me that they use that verse whenever they needed to find their keys, or didn't recall where they parked the car; but that is not what that scripture is talking about.  It's talking about just or honorable people who die- their memory is a blessing.  So I don't feel bad about my lack of memory, since the bible was not telling me I was unjust because I could not recall  something.  I now just need to live in such a way that someone will recall me in a good way.   

When it comes to forgetting, I have found that it can be a good thing,  especially since I have done a lot of counseling.  I love that I can hear the deepest hidden hurts, and be in the moment with someone, and when I see them later, I see them.. not their issue.  For the most part, I have forgotten it!  I see victorious people that I have had an opportunity to connect with and I can freely celebrate the encounter without a bunch of images that could mar the moment.   If we begin to talk and something is said that needs that memory to be triggered, it will trigger it, but only if it's needed for the current conversation.  I have often thanked God for the ability to forget because I sleep VERY well at night, and don't worry or carry burdens of people who are instructed to carry those burdens to the cross.   So just as important as remembering, so is forgetting. (I am thankful God chooses to forget some stuff we do!)

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Remember Your Creator in the Days of Your Youth.

Aside from trying to remember everything in our life, we really have to remember God.  As young people, I know the temptation is there to only build your brand, build your wealth, build your relationships, but we HAVE to remember God now; when we are young enough, strong enough, determined enough to make a difference.   There will come a day that we will sit on the sidelines and watch, when we can give wisdom to others based on the lessons we have learned, but we will have to trust them to carry it out.  I know most of us are planning to live to be 100, but your 100 year old body, will still be 100 years old!  I know 40 is the new 20, 50 the new 30... but your body will still have 100 year old ears, feet and bones, and a new generation will still be moving and doing more than you.  Remembering God includes doing what He called you to do NOW.  It includes learning to honor Him in every area of your life, treating people the way He says to, building a platform that proclaims His name.  Loving God, loving others and loving yourself will lend towards a great retirement, and your latter days will really be better than the former ones.   

If you have young children or teenagers, teach them early to honor God.  Give them a legacy that shows they can do it all!  They can prosper, be in health, honor God, bless people, walk in purpose and make money to provide for their needs, bless others and build the kingdom of God.   If we focus just on one area, we have forgotten the Creator and forgotten His ability and power to bless us beyond all we could ask or think.  

In closing, I may not remember everything that has happened in my life, but I will NEVER FORGET the God Who kept me, who equipped me, Who chooses to use me, and forgives me for all my wrong. He continues to lead me today, and one day, He will come back for me... Until then.....   I continue to honor Him, and daily I remember.