We never get to sit still and just listen, shoulders touching, hands linked. But this lovely Sunday, in a California tent church, I settled snug next to The Preacher on a white folding chair. With no walls, birds calling, and an ocean breeze stirring the air, it offered a unique way to commune with God. I loved every minute if it. And my happiness quotient continued to rocket sky high with my son leading worship.
After a rousing song service, the guest speaker talked about resolutions. I hadn’t even given it a thought yet.
How can it be 2019?
Already?
Sheesh.
I usually get around to making a list of four or five goals—sometime in January. Of course my first two are the same as apparently everyone else. The most popular resolutions in the nation are—you guessed it…
- Lose weight,
- Exercise more.
And we could take wagers on how long till I forget four out of five on my list…
Is it just me that’s forgetful? Or are we a forgetful people?
The speaker said forty-seven percent of resolvers succeed in at least one item from their written list. Check. But another kind of resolver hides out there, those who know what they want to accomplish for the new year, yet never write it down. They keep it locked away as a hovering shadow in the back of their mind—until it vanishes in the buffeting waves of troubles and busyness. Want to guess what their success rate is?
Five percent.
How to Remember Not to Forget
When troubles pile like rancid whip cream on a mud pie, why does my mind go to the negative first?
The woe-is-me countenance,
The sky is falling posture?
Why do I begin to whip like a Sunday tent in the wind?
And fold like the white chairs after a church service.
Instead of remembering to bow and whisper, Thank you Lord for all the blessings?
For some reason, the written word, a list, or existence of a marker is important to our memories, especially in times of troubles. In the Old Testament, God’s people would pile stones as physical markers— for remembrance. We may not have a handy pile of stones by our back door, but we surely have a pencil and paper, or an old journal lying around. So take the time to write down your goals. And on the next page begin a physical marker to refer to when life is tough—a “Thankful list.”
Always remember,
Even in trials lie beauty and blessings.
The sunrise rises each day to offer an unparalleled gift of magnificence.
The flowers and foliage murmur soft,
“Gaze upon our splendor, but consider—God cares for you even more than he does for us.”
And the arms of love lends earthly comfort to our weary souls.
Never forget.
We May Have Our Far-Flung Battle Lines, Dominion Over Palm And Pine
We May Have Our Navies, The Pomp Of Yesterday, Power And Boasting,
But The True Prayer Of Our Hearts Is Lord Of Hosts, Be With Us Yet,
Lest We Forget, Lest We Forget!!!
by Rudyard Kipling
So here is my list for 2019. I’m determined to be more thankful, love deeper, and remember better, so I’m sharing with you for accountability.
- Lose ten pounds.
- Exercise three times a week.
- Read my bible daily and journal my readings.
- Memorize a scripture month.
- Finish and publish our devotional book.
- Continue my blogging at least bi-weekly.
- Read 50 books. (At least one-third religious. My favs are non-fiction overcoming-odds kinda stories. Suggestions welcome)
- Eat better. Daily fruits and veggies please.
- Be thankful every single day.
- Err on the side of love and forgiveness.
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
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What are your most important goals for the new year? Feel free to share.
How do you keep from forgetting?