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.
From the Inside Out 