Say the word “getaway” and I immediately envision Carriage Way, our favorite bed and breakfast in St. Augustine, Florida. (Visit their website at http://www.carriageway.com, and you’ll see why we love it.)
The house is a large, two-story Victorian, white, with pale blue trim. Wide verandas with wicker furniture entice visitors to sit and rest awhile. Each room is appointed with antique furniture, colorful quilts, ruffles and lace. Guests feel transported to a gentler, quieter time.
The name speaks to the inn’s location, along the horse-drawn carriage route. Each evening of our stay, we love to sit on the second-story veranda, chat, watch the people go by, and listen for the clip-clopping of horses’ hooves.
But a bigger draw of Carriage Way is the grace and thoughtfulness of its proprietors. From the friendly greeting upon arrival (by name), to the cookies, coffee, and soft drinks always available, they do their utmost to please their guests.
One morning during our first or second visit, the chief-cook at that time, L., fixed an unusual egg casserole. The unique ingredient? Green chilies, which gave the dish a definite Southwestern flavor. We raved about it.
A year or two later, when we visited again, L. told us, “Tomorrow morning I’ll fix that egg casserole you liked so much!”
Now I’m smart enough to know L. couldn’t possibly have remembered we’d relished that particular dish. I’m sure he would have liked to, but with so many guests, and such a volume of information, such details would be impossible to retain.
However, I can imagine L. entering guests’ preferences into his computer for future reference. L. and B. (the owner) were surely aware that people feel honored when they are remembered.
Now digest this. Someone else honors us with his remembrance. The omnipotent Ruler of the universe.
Think of it: Almighty God is mindful of us (Psalm 8:4).
He thinks about us constantly (Psalm 139:17-18). He never forgets about one of His children. Not even the number of hairs on each head (Matthew 12:30).
He knows us intimately, like a good shepherd knows each of his sheep (John 10:14-15).
And because He is mindful of us, He blesses us (Psalm 115:12a), providing for our needs, and guiding us in the way of wisdom (Proverbs 4:11).
There is only one thing he’s forgetful about. “I will forgive their wickedness,” he declared, “and will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34).
I am struck anew by your overwhelming love, Lord—a love that prompts you to remember us individually, know us intimately, and bless us magnanimously. Even more amazing, you choose to forget our disobedience and rebellion when we come to you with repentant hearts. Oh, that my life would bring honor to you. Guide me to that end, I pray.
From the Inside Out 
Matthew 10:30 – I think God is cheating. Every year it gets easier and easier for him to count the hairs on my head as they become less and less numerous!
Great post.
‘Love your comment, Jeremy. Here’s another thought “To Be Remembered”: God only made a few good heads; to the rest he gave hair. Thank you for reading today’s blog post–and so promptly, too. Love, Mom
Wonderful!
Thank you, Vicky. I’m so glad you found it meaningful!
Such a blessing to know how much He loves…even me. And to realize that I am always on His mind. Maybe you can come up with Christian lyrics to Willie Nelson’s “You were always on my mind”? LOL!
Thank you, Cheri. ‘SO glad you found the post to be a blessing. What a great idea to rewrite Willie Nelson’s song. But since you’re the one who thought of it, I think you should compose it! 🙂
I just might give the Willie Nelson thing a try… LOL!
Can’t wait to hear it!
It is good to know that I am always on God’s mind, he never forgets me and loves me. thanks Nancy.
Jeremiah 31:3 speaks loud and clear to me about God’s love, especially in The Message by Eugene Peterson: “God told them, ‘I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love!'” Puts a smile on my face and a song in my heart! Are you smiling and singing, too?!
He never ceases showing me just how much HE loves me. Even at my age, He is still showing me how much he cares, and teaches me something new every
day. God Bless you and your family. Ceil
Such good news, Ceil! ‘Gives us incentive to get up in the morning, to see what God will teach us that day, and how He will display His love anew. Like Solomon said, “His compassions never fail. They are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23)! P.S. Thank you very much for stopping by the blog.
What amazes me is when God remembers the little things that you like so much. We went to a harvest festiville in oct. at our church and there was a drawing for different things. None I was really interested in until just as we were leaving he said movie tickets was the next thing to be drawn for. Jim and I love the movies but have not been able to go lately since my surgery and becasue of money. Jim won the tickets! It was a gift from God to Jim. God even remembers to small things. We kind of expect God to answer prayer for the bigger things, health problems, family problems maybe work related problems, but we tend to forget He loves every part of us, even our hobbies, lol. God truely amazes me again and again.
Your story makes me smile! Indeed, God does give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4)–just not all the time, or we’d become spoiled. But he does measure out enough blessing to make us feel loved and remembered. What a gracious Father he is! Thank you for sharing your experience of God’s tender-hearted provision, Nancy.