A Date Night, 1976
One of the delights of a long-term relationship are the shared memories. My husband Steve and I find ourselves saying quite often, “Oh that reminds of . . .” and we’re each transported to a time and place of our mutual past:
- Any songs from the Carpenters’ album, Close to You, take us back to a vacation house shared one week with two other couples—before kids. All we had for music was a tape of that one album!
- Certain dishes remind us of favorite restaurants from our forty years in Florida: Bananas Foster–the Don Cesar Hotel on St. Pete Beach; blackened fish–Fast Eddie’s on Anna Maria Island; the shrimp pot–Captain Charlie’s on Juno Beach; and garlic knots–Mama Mia’s in Lake Worth.
- Trigger-words immediately conjure up experiences: camper—four adults and four children in a pop-up—nice and cozy); muffins—Mrs. Bisso’s burnt offerings, humorously memorable [1]; and reggae music—a mini-vacation of snorkeling in the Keys with our three children.
No doubt you’ve experienced the same phenomenon. Sights, sounds, aromas—even a single word can elicit a memory.
And have you also noticed . . .
A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered.
–C. S. Lewis, Out of the Silent Planet
God would have us know the same is true in the spiritual realm. The pleasure of our relationship with him grows more fully as we remember all the great things he’s done:
We also find that recalling God’s goodness in the past restores our faith for what he can do in the present and the future.
For example:
Has God miraculously supplied a need?
I’m remembering a time when Steve gave money to a struggling family, even though we were hardly making ends meet ourselves. Not long after, a speaking engagement (for which Steve didn’t expect to be paid) and a surprise monetary gift from a family member provided double what Steve had given.
Has God blessed beyond what you’d asked for, or perhaps with something you didn’t ask for at all?
One spring we were surprised by the gift of a new car, provided for us by a member of the church Steve was pastoring at the time.
Has God answered your prayers in marvelous ways?
In my God Is Faithful journal I came upon this entry:
“We’ve seen so many miracles at church recently—Barbara’s and Shirley’s healings, John’s clean bill of health from his doctor, special care of Joyce’s niece, and more! Thank you, Father, for blessing our fellowship in so many ways.”
Has God worked out impossible circumstances with astonishing ease?
During those years of ministry, children-raising, and teaching (for me), the Christmas season always meant extra-tight time-constraints. One morning I prayed God would somehow get me through the long, hectic day ahead.
And sure enough: 1) a teacher-colleague and I polished off essays that needed grading—I didn’t have to take any of them home, and 2) after school, a list of errands was expedited by little traffic (six days before Christmas no less!), a quick hunt for the items on my list, and short lines in the stores [2]!
When we’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, taking time to remember God’s faithfulness, lovingkindness, and help in the past, does indeed help us trust him in the present.
Finally, remembering results in rejuvenating praise:
“Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. . .
. . . You make me glad by your deeds, LORD; I sing for joy at what your hands have done.”
Psalm 40:5; 92:4 NIV
[1] https://nancyaruegg.com/2014/07/07/imperfectly-right/
[2] I’m so thankful for my “blessings” notebook-journal, kept since November 1983, so hundreds of examples such as these have not been lost over time.
Charles Spurgeon quote from Morning by Morning, 27.
Art & photo credits: Nancy Ruegg; http://www.stockvault.net; http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.commons.wikimedia.com.
Oh Nancy! That picture!! Love, love, love!!! One of my favorite ‘triggers’ is Monopoly! Every single time I think of your dad and the hours we spent playing!! He never let us quit until game over!
Hello, Julie! How delightful that Monopoly reminds you of Dad. Did he teach you Muggins? That was a favorite card game he introduced to a number of families. Doesn’t take as long to play as Monopoly!
love that CS Lewis quote and what a great post taking us from the personal to the divine remembrances. God is good!!
So glad you liked the CS Lewis quote, Jean. I couldn’t agree with you more that God is incredibly good. Each morning I have to thank him for the abundant goodness he’s lavished upon us!
This is a lovely post. My husband and I are both 82 this year. We’re considering senior living, but those old memories have a strong hold on us. It’s hard to pack them away.
Ah, Kathy, I can only imagine. Would photos of some of those precious belongings help? I’m thinking that’s what I may have to do if and when the time comes! Then I can at least scroll through my memories on my computer!
Great idea!
Oh, my goodness! I love so many of your posts, but this might be an all-time favorite. That quote by Charles Spurgeon is so beautiful! Love the picture of you from 1975…beautiful couple!
Thank you, Linda, for your gracious comments! Isn’t that Spurgeon quote wonderful? I love it too–so inspiring!
Your whole post was inspiring…thank you for sharing it with us!
You’re so welcome, Linda!
When we take time to stop and reflect upon our past, even the not-so-good experiences, we can see God’s hands working in our lives to His glory and honor. There are too many God-incidences in my life to adequately share here, but I do know that He has blessed me beyond measure! May His blessings always be too many to count, Nancy!
You are so right, Martha–even in the not-so-good experiences we can see God’s hands working in our lives to His glory and honor. Praise God, he is faithful in ALL things, ALL circumstances!
Nailed it, Nancy!
Aw, thanks Mitch. Praise God for his inspiration!
I commend you for the discipline you had to record in your God Is Faithful journal since 1983! What wonderful reveries it must trigger. When I think about my relationship with God back in the day, the lamps of my past are luminescent. Thank you for sharing such warm spiritual memories you’ve experienced over the years, Nancy. 🙂
Once I started the discipline, I didn’t want to stop! It was such a delight to keep track of God’s faithfulness to our family. Isn’t that imagery from Spurgeon just perfect? I too am so grateful to see lamps glowing over God-engineered events as I look back on my path of life.
Nancy, your post made me reflect on the many ways God has been there in the past and affirmed me to trust in the uncertainties of today. To keep trusting because He is faithful.
There is such peace when we trust in our God (Isaiah 26:3)! (Please remind me of that when circumstances take us into a dark valley!)
Thanks. I needed this.
Oh, Chris, I’m so glad this ministered to you at just the right time–praise God!
Nancy, an invitation to time-travel is such a gift. The specifics of your story trigger memories of God’s provision and faithfulness in my story over the years, and entries from that backlog of love are truly a feast for the heart. Thank you!
Laurie, if we ever sat down over coffee one day, I’m sure you and I could go back and forth for hours, sharing stories of God’s provision and faithfulness! Then we could sing “He’s Been Faithful!”
Oh yes! If not on this side, surely in heaven one day.
Just have to add that we, too, so young, so green in ministry, were anonymously given an almost-new car!
How fun is that?! 😁
fI also have a joy journal which my daughter gave me years ago. It’s such a pleasure to open it now and then and remember the things that gave me joy. It is interesting to find that many of them are very simple moments – a flower (actually a week) brought to me by a grandchild. A game night, a piece of chocolate, a walk in the rain with a loved one.
I own a similar journal, also a gift (from our younger son and daughter-in-law): A Celebration of Small Things. I’ve written a bit every day since 2017; am actually on my second journal with that theme. It does the soul good to cull a blessing or two from each day and record them. (But you won’t find “a walk in the rain with a loved one” among my entries! 😁 )
Thank you, Nancy, I love this so much, and your words are such a timely reminder to me as we’re entering into new situations these next couple weeks that God has faithfully been with our family and always will be.
Praise God for his timing, Debbie! He never promised to make life easy, but he certainly carries us through. I can’t imagine trying to do life without his comfort, strength, wisdom, and more!
I agree, Nancy, and I couldn’t either!! Have a blessed weekend!
Beautiful, beautiful post Nancy! 51 years of marriage has given us so many wonderful memories and we have seen God’s faithfulness through it all. There is hardly a day that passes that we don’t share a memory together!
Seems to me the pleasure of a memory is more than doubled when it’s shared with someone who was also there when the memory was made. / Thank you for adding your affirmation, that you and Butch have seen God’s faithfulness through it all–51 years worth! I wonder what we’ll remember and praise God for today?!
Thank you, Nancy, for another wonderful post. Such delightful scripture references and encouraging text. Love the photo of you and Steve. Made me smile. You are such a blessing. Praying you will continue writing “From the Inside Out”.
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Thank you so much for your affirmation, Diane. I greatly appreciate your prayers concerning the continuation of this blog. You’ve encouraged me!
I love the C.S. Lewis quote but the one from Charles Spurgeon is even more comprehensive, because you could argue God is present in all of our happy memories (not just those where he meets our needs). Your personal memories are wonderful and similar to ours. It’s remarkable how the details come back like it was yesterday.
I too love that Spurgeon quote, the way he expresses–almost poetically–the benefit of remembering God’s faithfulness of the past. He was a wordsmith if ever there was one! / I suppose there’s a great deal of universality to our experiences of God’s faithfulness. He’s always protecting, providing for, and guiding his children. And there’s something spirit-warming when we can say, “Oh! That’s happened to us too!” So glad a few of our happy memories could bring back some of yours “like it was yesterday!”
Love this collage of memories. God is indeed faithful!
TT
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Thank you, Michele. It’s a sweet blessing, isn’t it, to be able to say, “Yes, he’s been faithful–even to ME!”
Memories are mindful gifts we give ourselves that fill our minds, hearts, and souls. What you shared was so spot on. Remembering all God has done for us is an act of worship in itself, but it’s also a reminder that He is here, always working in and through us, even when He feels distant or silent. Thanks so much for this wonderful “reminder to remember”! And that album you and Steve listened to? Our song–for my husband and me–is on that album. Small world.
Agreed–remembering what God has done can be an act of worship in itself! / Do tell the name of “your song!” After that week of steeping in that one album, I’ll bet the tune and some of the lyrics will STILL come to mind! 😁
“Close To You”. It was something special as we got to know each other, fell in love, and committed then to one day marry. Funny how things stick with you.
Yup–I remember the tune well, Dayle. (I can practically hear the beautiful harmonies on the chorus!) Some of the lyrics are still in my memory too, though not all. Music does have the power to “stick!”
Have a wonderful summer, Nancy.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Thank you, Gary! You should be finishing up another school year soon, correct? May your summer be RESTFUL!
Powerful and Wonderful Message
Amen 🙏 Amen
Thank you, Willie. As always I must praise God for his inspiration!
Amen 🙏🤗
I am going through a somewhat dark time of depression right now and even though this edition of your blog was inspiring the Charles Spurgeon quote helped me the most. I am also grateful for the invention of the camera which captures such good memories of my relationship with God. Just a glimpse of a picture of a former home reminds me of when I accepted the Lord as my Savior while kneeling in front of our couch.
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with a bout of depression, Cheri. Praise God that Spurgeon quote ministers hope to you, and your memories take you back to that joyful moment when your journey with Jesus began. May you sense his presence very close during this difficult season, dear friend. And may the season be short!
Thanks, Nancy. I was very encouraged today when I was listening to David Jeremiah. Peace came over me, praise the Lord. Thanks for your continued prayers.
We like David Jeremiah too. Praise God he ministered peace to you!
Loved this post, Nancy! I saved it in my inbox to reread. So glad you have kept that journal. I wish I had journaled all the times God came through for us. Bill wanted to do a whole chapter in his book about this because there are so many.
I love the sweet picture of you and your husband on a date night.
You might find that even now, if you started writing down examples of God’s faithfulness in the past, your list could grow quite long. Memories pop up at random sometimes! I love that Bill could see God coming through for the two of you, even as you both suffered through his lengthy disease. Praise God for his power at work in Bill, and for Bill’s humble and yielded spirit! (And praise God the same is true of you also, Mary!)
Great idea, Nancy! Just might start a Word doc and as they come to mind, jot them down.
I was grateful that Bill had the attitude to focus on the good even in his suffering.
Love your idea of a Word doc that you could add to as memories return! / Your Bill was an expert when it came to affirming the positive!