Maybe the technology at your fingertips supplies the reminder.
I'm referring to the fun feature on social media or google photos that provides Timehop Reminders or Memories. It enables us to see and relive places we were on this exact day one, two or three years ago and more. Now don’t get me wrong, I love seeing the faces of my sweet children pop up, and the memories certainly bring to light how much they grow and change in one short year! The reminders are good. They cause me to make a conscious effort to slow down and savor moments with them, because they are growing at warp speed!
But, I am also reminded how those reminders can be a tool of
the enemy to steal our present joy. Suddenly a really good, productive day
becomes sad or filled with past guilt or regret. Before we know it, we have
spent too many minutes lamenting a time that once was.
Memory. Some say it is our most treasured gift. I agree it
is beautiful and certainly something to never take for granted. But, what about
the hard memories? What do we do with the thoughts that cause us to remember
friendships or loved ones no longer present? Or a life that looks drastically
different from our present one?
I don’t think we need to live long on this earth to
encounter hard goodbyes. We are naturally moving forward in our story. That
forward movement means there are things which naturally change.
The wise Winnie the Pooh once said, “The only way to get to
where I’m going is to leave where I’ve been.”
So simple. So true.
Isaiah
43:18-19 is one of my favorite reminders in scripture:
Forget the former things; do not dwell
on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not
perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Recently, I shared lunch with a
dear friend. This very subject came up. It is much harder not to dwell on the
past in today’s world of constant reminders. Yet, dwelling in the past serves
to hold us hostage there. It is impossible to appreciate today, in a world
consumed with yesterday.
Jesus walked this earth before the
printed or digital photos and social media reminders. He lived each day,
noticing those right in front of Him. He lived in the moment; not staring at
the past or fretting over the future. In His infinite wisdom, He knew how we
would struggle with letting go of the past. He provided words in scripture to
provide the answers to the hard questions of when and how to let go.
Heavenly Father,
Some days are hard. Some memories are hard. Help us recognize
when a past memory is a tool used to steal our joy in you and the effectiveness
of our faith.
Help us to “take those thoughts captive” IMMEDIATELY and not
allow them to take one second of our present day. Help us to surrender those
memories to you. Redeem our past mistakes with your Grace and help us to walk
in the newness of today. Help us to see the NEW pathways you are providing. The
blessing of the NEW relationships you are bringing into our lives.
The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy all that you are
doing presently in our lives.
We speak your name
over his antics.
We choose to live in the gift of today ..Amen ♥
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