Remember to Remember
“Forget not all his benefits.”
Psalm 103:2 (NIV)
A local radio station recently asked, “If you had one word to describe this year, how would you describe 2020?” One listener responded with the word “roller-coaster.” I think that’s a pretty good summary of this year’s events. How many of us could have foreseen last Thanksgiving how all of our lives would be changed and turned upside down by the Covid pandemic?
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. For the last seventeen years Bruce and I have been privileged to host our extended family for Thanksgiving. We usually have some 26-30 people assembled for lunch in our home. I love the combination of family, food, fellowship and giving others “the gift of place.” Our gathering this year will be very different and only include 9-11 close family members. But Thanksgiving is much more than a family meal. It is also a season to direct my focus toward God, His grace, and my gratitude. Author Ann Voskamp writes, “Thanksgiving leads to thanks-living.” Indeed, it does!
This year it’s hard not to focus on all the losses we have encountered with the pandemic. Our scaled down thanksgiving family gathering is just one of those losses. Reading Psalm 103 recently I was struck by King David’s determination to thank God for Who He is and what He has done no matter the life circumstances. David is very specific with his gratitude and thanks God for His forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, and compassion. But David doesn’t stop there; he goes further and thanks God for both His character and attributes. David notes that God is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, everlasting, and righteous. Above all, David thanks God for His steadfast love. God’s steadfast love is central to His character. It is the firm and loyal love of God for His people.
Recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman has written a song entitled “Remember to Remember.” That title could be the title for Psalm 103. The word “remember” is a verb, an action word, that means “to be able to bring to one's mind an awareness of someone or something that one has seen, known or experienced in the past.” Chapman’s Remember to Remember lyrics have been rolling around in my head and heart this week as I’ve focused my reading on Psalm 103, King David’s song of remembering.
Remember the way He led you up to the top of the highest mountain
Remember the way He carried you through the deepest dark
Remember His promises for every step on the road ahead
Look where you've been and where you're going
And remember to remember
Remember, remember
Remembering 2020 and all of its losses, we can still choose to remember and be grateful for the following:
Being able to see and hug our children and grandchildren after total lockdown
At least 2 Corona vaccines will soon be available
Several new Covid drug treatments were recently approved by the FDA
Technology that allowed many to work or study remotely
Toilet paper, meat, milk, masks, hand sanitizers, and paper towels are back on grocery shelves
Corporate worship with social distancing is now available in most areas
Our local school system resumed in-person classes
We actually had a high school and college football season- Yeah!!!
We can now get haircuts, pedicures, dental procedures, and other non-essential services.
Airlines are flying again.
We successfully survived one of the most divisive political elections in our nation’s history
Terrorism is down and the economy and stock market are headed up
No matter how much our circumstances change, however, God Himself remains unchanged. That truth always brings comfort, but how much more in 2020 when everything around us is changing at lightning speed? Think about it. God still forgives, heals, redeems, satisfies, renews, reigns, and rules. He is still merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. “I the Lord do not change.” (Malachi 3:6)
This week as we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s remember to remember God’s kindness, gracious provision, and merciful care in 2020. Let’s also remember His promises for our future. Those who are in Christ have the hope of heaven and eternal life. Let’s look where we’ve been, where we’re going, and remember to remember and then give thanks.
“His steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1 (ESV)
Remember to remember!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Donna