“Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you”—Isaiah 49:15 (NASB).
My youngest son recently called to ask if I remembered a former student of mine. He’d run into the young man at a local business. I’d also taught this former student’s parents and worked with his grandparents, who were also teachers.
How could I forget this young man? My son even remembered how ornery he’d been in school. The young man hadn’t forgotten me, either. He asked my son to tell me hello.
After teaching in a small community for 30 years, I often forget some of my former students’ names. I might recall their faces, and if I’m lucky, their names follow. Multiply more than 100 students a year times 30 and you can see why it’s easy to forget. And that doesn’t count the ones I worked with as their class or club sponsor.
Forgetting is Part of Life
According to a “Psychology Today” article, forgetting is the most prevalent way that memory reveals its imperfections. Robert N. Kraft, author of the article says, “We forget much of what we read, watch, think, and encounter directly in the world.”
It’s no wonder we tend to forget so much of what has happened in the past or at least the details. Details like people’s names, people we might have not encountered for some time or only met once.
Time also isn’t kind to our memories as we age. I’ve jokingly told others that it’s because my brain is already overstuffed with information.
Don’t Forget the Good Memories
Months before my son called about my former student, I realized I didn’t want my grandchildren to forget the memories we’ve made. The two oldest are now teenagers. I’ve found myself reminiscing with them when they visit.
I don’t want them to forget the times we’ve spent together. Just last month, we talked about past Christmases when we made gingerbread houses together. Recently, I reminded my 14-year-old grandson of the creative ways he used discarded cardboard to create masterpieces of art. I saved cardboard items to stimulate their creativity when they were younger.
But it’s not just the fun times I want them to remember. I want them to recall the love behind those times, including the bedtime stories when they spent the night.
The Most Important Thing to Remember
The most important thing I’ve shared with my grandchildren—all seven of them—is how much Jesus loves them. I don’t ever want them to forget what His love means for them and for this world.
Each time I send a greeting card, I write the following inside: “Live for Jesus! That’s what matters most.”
Living for Jesus is something we should never forget. But, we do. In today’s culture, the overwhelming distractions of television and social media lead us to forget what really matters.
What Really Matters
Isaiah 49:15 is especially encouraging to me. While others may forget us, God never will. Isn’t that comforting?
The next verse is a wonderful reminder, especially when we feel unloved and unwanted. The verse follows: “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:16).
Other scriptures remind us God will never forget us. Look up the following scriptures. Write them down. Memorize them so you don’t forget: Philippians 4:19; Romans 8:38-39; Deuteronomy 31:6; Deuteronomy 31:8. Remember: God will never forget you, never!
I always love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to e-mail me at carol@carolaround.com with your thoughts, or visit my blog for more inspiration at www.carolaround.com. If you need a speaker or workshop leader, you can contact me at the above e-mail or through my website. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
Photo credit: Unashamedofjesus.org
