Have I made a worthy memory today?

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest. (Jeremiah 29:11-13 The Living Bible)

Is there any doubt we are living in a sin-filled world? We are inundated continually with the fact that the enemy is hard at work among us. In the midst of it, where I am called as a Christian person to live, I must cling to, believe, and rest in Jeremiah 29:11-13. A habit—no, a discipline—I try to act out every day is to give an enthusiastic YES to the question: “Have I made a worthy memory today?”

I truly believe that the joy of the Lord is my strength and that He wants me to live every day in the confidence of His grace and promises. That belief was mightily tested recently, when I went into the hospital for my sixth spinal surgery, expecting it to go as planned and be home in three days. Instead, I came home a month later, after complications, setbacks, and weeks in rehab. Difficult to put a positive spin on that!

Over and over I called up the wealth of worthy memories already stored and treasured in my heart and mind. One that brought me comfort was the memory of our three now-grown grandkids, when they first came to live with us as young children. Almost every night, at some point, they would pile into bed with Ron and me, many times crying and upset and begging, “Grandma, sing the Jesus Jesus song!” Remember that old Gaither song?

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’s just something about that name Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there’s just something about that name.

I know it comforted them through their troubled nights, and that treasured memory brought me joy and hope those nights in hospitals and rehab when the enemy tried to flood me with despair. That worthy memory helped strengthen and heal me. Thousands and more are banked and stored away as treasure in my mind and heart. Mary knew this truth. Luke 2:19 tells us that she “quietly treasured these things and often thought about them” (Living Bible). I wonder how many thousands of worthy memories she stored over the years with her son, Jesus.

Doing this consistently, I’ve come to the realization is that a memory can pop up anywhere, anytime: random or planned, people or places, alone or in a crowd, doing the mundane or experiencing the extraordinary. Everyday life teems with stuff clamoring to get my attention and time. My challenge is to sift through all that stuff and recognize what has true value.

I know that searching for a worthy memory can and will point me to faith and hope in the swirling world around me. When I pull this memory up from my treasure trove it will heal my soul. I will be renewed. As I commit this memory to the worthy bank, I understand that it is present for this moment, but will soon become the past. Does it have value to also be a part of my future? I know one thing…

If I seek to do this under God and Grace, He will show up and guide me. He is there for my good in this extremely untidy, sin-filled world. My job is to be obedient, to love and serve Him (John 14:21), and to trust that when I choose to make a worthy memory today out of the intent to glorify God and His faithfulness, it will yield good fruit. The challenge becomes, will I seek out from my messy life, in an even messier world, something that I can choose to say, “I am making this a memory that I will honor and treasure. It is worthy.” Thanks be to God for His love and grace!

Love and Joy! Char

Char can be reached via email here.