I recently heard that Memorial Day is often heralded as the un-official beginning of summer (not on June 20 or 21 this year – depending on your time zone). So, happy start of summer. Yet, before we leap into these next months of no school, swimming, bbq, and vacations; we stop on Memorial Day to remember.
Yesterday during the gathering we took a moment to recognize the women and men who served or are serving our country. We also remembered those who have fallen defending our freedoms. As I was in the middle of my quiet time this morning, with Memorial Day on my mind, I realized that today can also be a day of remembering what God has done for us.
Many times in the Old Testament after God performed a miracle or moved in some significant fashion a monument would be placed at that spot. The Bible Gateway blog from this time in 2011 adds: Physical monuments like this were a tangible reminder to God’s people of their history and values—you might think of them as Biblical versions of the Washington Monument or the Lincoln Memorial, which serve a similar purpose for modern Americans.
In other words, it’s important to remember. I’m very easily drawn to allowing the hardships of the present influence my perspective of the future. A more honest way to state that would be, “Everything is so bad right now. It’s never going to get better. Did God forget about me?” This type of thinking underscores the need to remember.
If I was a betting person I would place a giant wager that each of us could look back and remember a time that God helped us. Perhaps it was a check you weren’t expecting, a promotion you didn’t see coming, or receiving a grade better than you anticipated. Moments such as these are reminders of either luck, or an acknowledgment that there is an everlasting good God who moves on behalf of His people.
The other benefit of taking time to remember is that it keeps us grounded and thankful. When life gets icky (and it does) remembering how God has moved in the past gives us strength for today and hope for tomorrow. It also encourages us to stay thankful, even in the midst of circumstances that initially seem devoid of a reason.
On this Memorial Day may we remember. Remember the brave men and women who serve and have served. Remember the family members who have gone on yet paved the way. Remember God and His faithfulness. In keeping step with the following verse, may we take care to remember how God has moved in the past and trust in His goodness for the future.
Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Deuteronomy 6:12 ESV
Til next time,
DP