The Memory Day

It’s a new day.

Whatever happened yesterday is done. Over. Finished. Goodbye.

Time to move on and see what May 24, 2012 will bring.

I heard a sermon years ago that has stuck with me. I don’t remember who the preacher was, but I do remember the gist of his talk. Find a memory in every day. Look for something to make this day different and special from all the others.

I will admit that I haven’t always been very good at doing this, but before I go to bed at night, I like to think back on the day. I recall conversations, interactions, books I’ve read, songs I’ve listened to. And even if the day was not necessarily the best one ever, I can always find something good or fun or precious to remember. When my journal is handy, I write it down.

We tend to race through life. We run from one thing to the next, fulfilling obligations, performing tasks without thinking. We fail to stop and take the time to reflect and enjoy the privilege of just being alive.  And when we’re not racing, we’re simply enduring. Existing. Plodding through one day after the other, wishing it were different. We’re either dwelling on the way things were or waiting for what will be. That’s not accepting the gift of today. It’s not living at all.

Today, I am purposely looking for things that will become memories. Good ones. The write-in-your-journal kind.

And if you’re having trouble finding something positive to think about, read this, one of my favourites:

“How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.” – Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)

This is a Memory Day!