The Gift of Memories
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
What kind of Christmas memories do you have tucked away in your heart? Is it a picturesque Charles Dickens, a bright Thomas Kincaid, or a rustic Julie Longacre? Who made this holiday so special for you? Perhaps it was your new spouse, your children, grandchildren or grandparents, a new relationship or maybe something special you did that set a frame around a certain year.
I’ll share a couple. My first solo work at church was Christmas Eve when I was about 5 or 6. I was as nervous a doe on the first day of deer season. I went up to stand on the steps by the beautifully decorated tree. As the prelude started, I opened my mouth and sang Away in a Manger and picked the balls off the tree and dropped them on the floor in time to the music. Everyone laughed and clapped but what a mess to clean up.
How about the time my dad and grandfather had to put big old screws in the wall and wire the tree to keep it from toppling over? My mom was furious but we laughed about it for years.
This season, be grateful for the gift of memories that you can recall again and again. Things change. People change. Events change people. Being thankful for your memories, however joyful or painful they may be, are part of the journey God has chosen for us. When laughter and tears co-mingle, give thanks.
For some families, there will be additional chairs around the table to seat new-comers to the family. Oh, the stories they will hear! There might even be a new highchair at the corner between mom and dad. It is so much fun to pass down memories from generation to generation. Around some tables, there will be a hole where a loved one sat last year. Remembrances will be offered for them as well.
One of the greatest assurances that we have is that He is not going to change His mind about us one iota! We don’t have to wonder where we stand at any given moment. His memory will never fail. He has the perfect memory and He lovingly makes His Presence known when we call to Him.
This year, make fresh memories. The old ones cannot be replaced and as long as you have breath, you can make new ones.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of memories. While some bring a smile, others bring tears but You are always there to laugh with us and wipe away those little trickles. Thank You for never changing. AMEN.