Remember Me

 2021...

We survived!! What a year of great change, upheaval, devastation, realization, broke-ness, strength, overcoming... I could go on and on. I think a lot of people can commiserate over how their 2020 went. I believe that 2020 was a wake up call for me, and maybe not in the way you would think. 

If you don't know this about me, I am an introvert. I am an anxious, shy gal and being around lots of people drains my battery. I have clinical depression and anxiety, so there are times when there is no reason for my body to react, but it goes into anxiety mode and my physical symptoms often over power my desire to go and do things. I don't understand, my sweet kiddos don't understand it, and my poor husband doesn't understand it. But my God, He gets it. So in March 13th, 2020, when the world shut down, it was pretty much a dream come true for me! Stay home?!?! I get to keep my family, my people all to myself with nowhere to be? We thrived. I know that this isn't the story for everyone, and we even went through some hard times where we missed seeing our family and loved ones and we just couldn't stand to look at each other anymore!! Generally, however, our family grew stronger together and deeper together. My marriage thrived with all the forced time together. It's easy to grow apart when you are living to survive, but God gave us this gift of rest and time to slow down.

Now, the danger came in when I got to a place where everything was going well and I started to leave God out of the equation. I have a big issue with pride and thinking I can fix things on my own. I run ahead of God and put my own solutions out there instead of waiting on Him and following His lead. This causes me to put my foot in my mouth or place myself in situations or conversations that I didn't get an invitation to. So... He taught me a lesson. I had some broken relationships that are still being mended, and some that are lost. However, I have come to a place where I lean on the Holy Spirit to stop me and consider what my place is.

I remember what He has done. I remember what He did for me, what He did for His other kids, and what He has promised He will do, if I will just OBEY! How often do we go through a hard time, praise Him and abide in Him, and then forget! We are such forgetful people!! But God KNEW that we would be (I mean He created us afterall). How many times does the Bible tell the children of Israel to REMEMBER what God has done? How many times are past victories mentioned in current battles? According to Bible Gateway, 8670 times. 

He knew. So not only did He give us His word to remind us, He gave us the Holy Spirit!! A daily, constant reminder that goes with you always to keep your mind set on the things of Him. 

So, as we enter into the Easter season, don't wait until Good Friday to remember what God has done for you. Remember each day and thank Him for it. Remember how He created you in His image and gave you a hope and a future. Remember how He reconciled you to Himself by sacrificing His beloved Son. Remember how He gave you the desires of your heart when you delighted in Him. Remember how He brought you up out of that pit. Remember how He forgave you and never gives up on you.

Write it down. Make a list of all He has done for you. My mom has always said that I am like an elephant, I remember everything. I do remember a lot about my childhood. I can picture certain pivotal moments in my life and often when people are trying to recall information, I've got it stored in my big head (ha!). But, when it comes to the actual important things, I let myself forget. I take my focus off of my Father and put it back on me. Turn around, set your mind on things above, talk to you Father. Connect with Him today, whether it's been an hour since you last talked, a month, a year, or even if it's the first time. He is ready for you to remember who He is to you and who you are to Him.

Remember yall.