(April 04, 2022) Carol Round challenges us to share good memories…

A recent morning devotional reminded me of treasured memories of my childhood. Growing up in southwestern Louisiana, I spent many hours outdoors on sunny days. Barefoot most of the time, I loved lying in the grass.

On my stomach, I would search for a treasured four-leaf clover. Other times, I’d lie on my back and study the clouds. My imagination ran wild as I spotted a dinosaur shape or maybe a fluffy sheep.

A large mimosa tree at the edge of our property also became a treasured spot to hide among the lacy leaves. I daydreamed about the things I read in books. My thoughts often turned to fantasies of being swept away to a land filled with princes and princesses.

Treasuring the Prince of Peace
Next weekend with joy we’ll worship and celebrate our Saviour, the risen Christ, on Easter Sunday!

But…  before that glorious day, we’ll grieve again with the mother of Jesus who witnessed His crucifixion on what we now call Good Friday.

Thirty-three years earlier, Mary had revelled in the birth of her precious Son. Shepherds, after hearing the news of the birth of the Messiah, quickly travelled to Bethlehem to see for themselves.

Can you imagine Mary’s surprise?

Even knowing she had delivered the Son of God in a smelly, dank manger, I doubt she anticipated the excitement of the visitors. However, Luke 2:19 that she ‘treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.’

Pondering precious memories
Surely God had prepared Mary for that dark Friday. Despite her mother’s heartache at the loss, she had her memories to treasure and ponder.

We all face heartaches and trials during our lifetimes. It’s a given. We live in a broken, sinful world. However, after the storms have passed, we can choose to find the treasures in our lives. Cherished memories of better times can help restore our hope in a loving God.

When we recall God’s faithfulness in the past, we learn how to trust Him in the present and for our future.

Remembering answered prayers for God’s protection and provision during the storms of life can help us overcome our fears and lead to praising Him.

Cherished memories become our testimony
Six years ago, I huddled in my closet with my puppy as tornado sirens blared. When the winds slammed into my house and debris crashed through the ceiling, I continued to pray for protection. After the winds died, I was still fearful. I didn’t want to leave my safe space to assess the damage because I’d just signed a contract several hours earlier to sell my house.

Hours later, as family and friends helped me to cope with the aftermath, I discovered an unusual sign from God that He had been with me through that storm.

Neatly arranged in an upside-down triangle were three nails in my home office wall. Stunned, I removed the nails to discover they were brand new. I’d not hammered them into the wall. God had sent those three shiny nails as a reminder of His amazing grace.

Throughout my life, God has provided evidence that He is always with me.

Memories – reminders of His faithfulness
Just as I stored those three nails in a small vial as a reminder of His goodness, I love sharing those memories of God’s faithfulness with others.

If you need a reminder of His faithfulness, write down those memories and place them in a special box to treasure when you need a dose of hope.

I encourage you in your dark time to ponder God’s faithfulness… and to share your testimonial memories with others who need hope.

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Carol Round is an international self-syndicated Christian columnist and author, following her passion of using her writing to inspire others. Carol’s encouraging articles have appeared in national and international publications and she especially loves hearing from readers.

Recommended: Journaling With Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God, a creative call to an authentic, intimate relationship with Christ through the art of prayer-journaling. Carol sensitively guide you as she openly shares her own intimate journaling journey, initially borne of pain, and now bathed in promise – the hope of healing in Jesus (Amazon: https://amzn.to/2pP5Yr6).Links: A Matter of Faith weekly column: carol@carolaround.com / www.carolaround.com.
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