The last couple of years have been bittersweet as I watched my parent’s health decline and sat vigil with my sister as they passed from this world to the one to come. First my mom, in May of 2017, then my dad in January 2019.
We laid their remains to rest in July, knowing, believing in the resurrection that will occur. Trusting they have already gone ahead of us and are experiencing the hope of glory in Christ Jesus.

Since I live in Texas, and not Pennsylvania where they are buried, I decided to make a little memorial garden for my parents under some oak trees in our front yard. It’s still a work in progress as I tend new plants and continue to add items. I planted three Texas Mountain Laurel because I love their scent. And I have to figure out how to keep the deer from eating the Asiatic Jasmine. I added a stone bench and placed an angel plaque of my mom’s on a tree stump (which fit perfectly). I hung an owl wind chime and set up a couple of metal owls I repainted, both from their home. I also included a painted stone of a cardinal have a couple of bird houses with nests in them. I should also add the bird feeder. My parents loved feeding and watching the birds. Except blue jays. My mom yelled at them, shooed them away and called them pigs. The things we remember.That God is God and there is no other. (Deuteronomy 4:39)

What is it about remembering that’s important to us? Why do things have importance to us because they once belonged to or were given to us by someone we loved? Why do places echo with memories made there with those we loved?

Why do our brains have the capacity to store memories? Why are some memories so strong, with the ability to recreate emotions. And why are some memories forgotten?

What things should we try to remember?

A search on remember in Scripture (NLT) came up with 264 results.
We are instructed to remember specific things.

• Remember God is God and there is no other (from Deuteronomy 4:39)
• Remember the things the Lord has done in the past (from Isaiah 46:9)
• Remember the wonders and miracles he has performed  (from Psalm 105:5)
• Remember God has identified us as his own (from Ephesians 4:30)
• Remember, the Lord forgave us, so we must forgive others (Colossians 3:13)
• Remember that the Lord will give us an inheritance as our reward, and that the One we serve is Christ (Colossians 3:24)
• Remember what Jesus told us: He is going away, but will come back to us again (from John 14:28)

These are just a few of the things we’re called to remember. And there’s many more on how the Lord remembers us. Spend some time remembering this week. Remember the things God calls us to remember, things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, because then God’s peace will be with us (from Philippians 4:8-9).