“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 4:9

Sweet Memories

We had a family birthday dinner recently, preparing a meal we have been making as a celebration dish since my husband and I were dating. This dish takes everyone to participate in the prep work by wrapping the cut dough squares around the special filling, sealing the edges with water, then deep frying each one, waiting patiently for them to cool just a little so we can dip them in sauce, and eat. As we do this, we talk, laugh and enjoy our time together. As we started to eat the first batch of perfectly cooked goodies this recent time, my adult son said, “Ahhh, this tastes like my childhood.” My heart smiled as I realized this has become a pleasant family bonding experience that draws our senses back to remember pleasant times. We made memories in the past. We made sweet memories today!

I began to think about how important it is to share traditions through each generation, no matter what it is—even if it’s your special peanut butter sandwiches cut in triangles. God gives us instructions about deeper things too—like teaching our children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews about the goodness and faithfulness of God. “Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 11:19).

Nothing is wasted in God’s plans for us. Sharing with others about special blessings or miracles God has done in our lives are precious reminders that God is faithful, God provides, God is always with us, God will never leave us, and these are important steps in our faith journeys. Even the not-so-great things that happened are important truths that can inspire us to do better, learn from our mistakes, and be real and honest with others.  Sharing or remembering how, during that valley time or low point in your life, God was still faithful and saw you through it. Or how God protected you from something not best for you or by not saying yes to a prayer. All are powerful life lessons we can share to encourage and bless others.

Each person on this earth has something special to share with others and we can make an ordinary day a special day by “making memories that taste like childhood.”  I hope you, too, will be inspired to make a batch of memories with someone you care about soon.

Lord we give You all the praise and glory for giving us memories to inspire us and challenge us to grow and become closer to that beautiful woman you already see us as. Amen!