Remember

But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.
Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT

Do you remember what happened December 7, 1941? How about September 11, 2001?
Now tell me what happened January 22, 2013.

If you are like me, you knew the answer to the first two, but the third one, well, I haven’t got a clue. I don’t remember what I did, where I went and most of all, what was for dinner!

What if something happened on January 22 that was important? What if you needed to inform your family and friends about it?

You see the problem. Not all of us have great memories. Not all of us can keep the facts straight.

As God was leading His children out of slavery, He knew they had the same problem. He warns them to never forget what they have seen. He commands them to pass these events from generation to generation.

The Israelites didn’t have paper and pens, as you do. They did a verbal account of their days, which is not all bad. As they talked with their children and grandchildren about what God had done in their lives, they were developing a relationship with them.

So as you take another step closer to the cross with your Savior, again I’m going to encourage you to write something in your journal. If you’re not excited about journaling, all you really have to do is write about what happened today, where you went, what you did. You don’t have to write details.

I want to encourage you to talk to your family and friends about the day. Share with them what you have learned from God, what He showed you in nature, anything that will help develop a relationship with your family and friends.

I also want to open up the concept of what journaling can be. You can use a piece of paper, (that you don’t lose), a spiral notebook, there are many e-journals you can load onto your computer or tablet, there are many designated books for journaling. It can be a diary, or for those who are artistic, it can be a drawing tablet. Journaling doesn’t always have to be words, pictures can also tell a story.

How about a Bible for your journal?

I have a dear friend who reads through the Bible every year. She starts with a new Bible and marks and underlines passages. She will write in the margins messages about what she read and what it says to her. Then that Bible will be given to one of her grandchildren. Can you think of any better way to leave the legacy of her Christ to a future generation?

I know, journaling takes too much time. So if you’re still unsure, start small, just write about the weather, what time you got up, what you had for dinner. Try journaling every other day or once a week. Not everyone will journal often, but try to get the important days down.

God wants you to remember what He has done in your life. Not only the big events, but the day to day activities you share with Him. Then you will be able to read back through your journal and say, ‘wow, He really was with me then, so I’ll trust Him now too!’

Father,
You created me and know the limitations I have in trying to remember. You know I need a nudge to recall the events of my life. I know You are asking me to remember You. I’m still not sure about writing it all down. I feel that if I write my thoughts down, they won’t be private anymore, people may not understand what I’m trying to say, journaling makes me feel vulnerable. Help me to think on it as writing You a love letter and only You will be the one reading it. I don’t want to worry about what others will think if they read it, what is most important is that they will realize I love You and we talked about the day together.

You are so special to me and I want to please You, so today I will remember….
Amen