We are fickle creatures, us humans. I know for myself, I am often painfully aware that I forget – how God has worked and provided and delivered.
A fall and a fracture right before Thanksgiving leaves me forgetful of all the miracles the Lord has done in my life, even in just the past 6 months. My heart wants to complain over broken plans – trouble typing, my camera collecting dust, etc, etc. Do I not remember how God has provided a way through trial and trouble in the past?
It’s why I have to practice radical gratitude. Day in and day out, looking back, remembering- marveling at how God has cared for me. Allowing that posture of praise to form me – growing trust for the prayers still unanswered, the fears still floating in my heart.
The questions can come, as the Psalmist Asaph had in Psalm 77-
7 “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
But then, that’s where the remembering comes in –
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
On this Thanksgiving Day, I am digging into remembering. It’s not always easy, for anyone reading whose hurts feel too hard right now – I hear that and empathize; I’ve been there too, when the waters are up to your neck. But there is a God of miracles. Who parts the seas, and knows each of our needs, guiding with the tenderness of a good Shepherd.
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
My arm will heal, God will provide. He is with you too, today and tomorrow.
—–
Going into this next uncertain season, I’m going to treasure all the fall memories, of hiking adventures and beautiful scenery – thank you God for the daily grace of Creation to remind us of your beauty and glory! May these scenes bring joy and delight!
Happy Thanksgiving from Hunter and me!
One response to “Remembering”
[…] very easy for me to think about the things that I wish were different in my life (enter, gratitude, if you’d like to read more about how that keeps me afloat!). And I don’t think I’m alone. Yet, each day, things are changing. Because even if my […]