A Day for Remembering

Today is Memorial Day in the U.S. Although originally observed as a day for honoring the war dead, it has since become a day for remembering all of our friends and family members who have died. Many people will visit the grave sites of loved ones, perhaps leaving flowers or mementos there.

Memorial Day has taken on added meaning for me as I rremember and reflect on some of the significant people and events in my life. Reading the history of God's people in the Old Testament, I find a number of them building altars or erecting memorial pillars to remind theselves and their descendants of mercies received or covenants made. I have not set up any altars of wood or stone, nor have you probably; nevertheless, there will always be, in our hearts and minds, some unforgettble, life-changing markers of our Christian faith. This is a good day to reflect on those spiritual realities.

--Perhaps the place where you stood or knelt and promised, "Yes, Jesus, I will follow You."

--Or the day you truly understood what it means to be part of the Body of Christ.

--Or looking at the miracle of your firstborn, and realizing how awesome your parenting responsibility was.

--Maybe giving that child back to God as they chose a path--for good or ill--that was different from what you had envisioned.

--Surrendering your personal claim to an astounding success--or a crushing failure.

--Memories of your own, perhaps very private ones, which you recall with gratitude.

This is a good day for remembering. "Once again I'll go over what God has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders; I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts. (Psalm 77:11, 12)

MaryMartha

Scripture is taken from The Message. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.