Remember

Floyd's doctor said he's doing well - no new problems.  The 3rd wave of Covid is moving through the country.  I've asked if Floyd could please have a visit with one of the dear friends on our care team before the 3rd wave arrives in Cape Town.  Thankfully they agreed and our friend had a sweet visit with him.  Floyd was attentive and listened to all that was shared.  He is frail but the visit seemed to boost his spirits.  I look forward to a time when I can visit him too.

I had to have another surgery this past week and found I was unusually anxious about it.  A dear friend of mine was looking back over some prayer updates I had posted 3 years ago.  Yes, 3 years!  This has been a long journey.  She reminded me of something I had said then:

"I didn't feel like I had to win the battle.  It was Jesus in me that would win.  All I had to do was keep my eyes on Him, my hand in His, and let Him carry me.  And that's where the surprise of joy came.  As I did those things, He amazingly brought joy into my heart."

She said she wanted to encourage me with my own words.  I took them to heart, and peace came!  I sensed the Lord's peace and presence with me all along the way.

As I have been recovering the doctor has been surprised that I haven't had pain.  I see that as God's touch on my body - He took the pain.

"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in Him."  Nahum 1:7

I am so grateful for His care this past week.  

During the last 5+ years on our unexpected journey, one of the things that has helped me so much is to "remember."  Remember all that God has done in our lives.  To remember the answers to prayer.  To remember the miracles we've seen.  To remember His goodness, His faithfulness to us in more ways than we can even remember!

On days when my heart has been discouraged, and on days when my body is weak - as I remember the times He's met me in the past....it gives me fresh courage to persevere into the future.  Remembering is a powerful tool against the lies the enemy tries to bring.  As I remember God's help in the past - it gives me strength for the present.

When I was nervous about last week's surgery, I remembered God's help and faithfulness to me in the previous 7 surgeries.  I knew God hadn't changed!  So it boosted my faith for the 8th surgery.

In the word we're encouraged to share testimonies of God's faithfulness to our children and our children's children.  When I'm with my grandchildren, I love to tell them stories of how God has been with us in our many years of ministry.  It always impacts their hearts.  And it strengthens my own heart as I "remember."

"Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me."  Psalm 103:2

"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.  I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds."  Psalm 77:11,12

"You shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness."  Deuteronomy 8:2

"Remember the wondrous works that He has done."  1 Chronicles 16:12

"Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and He will show you, your elders, and they will tell you."  Deuteronomy 32:7 

Memories tell our story.  Remembering all God has done for us tells the story of His goodness in our lives.