Remember a most wonderful gift you received?
Remember enjoyable time spent with a precious loved one?
Remember a friend who provided a sweet encouragement?
Good memories transport us back to times and places that continue to bring a smile. We are drawn into deeper appreciation for special friends. Sometimes remembering the good that has been shown to us inspires us to do likewise for someone else.
When we take the time to remember what God has done for us, we open ourselves up to far greater joys. Thinking on God's character and works as we have experienced them, particularly in times of need, moves us to treasure Him more.
Our eyes are more open to His goodness and grace.
Our hearts are stirred with gratitude.
Our faith is strengthened.
It is no doubt for these reasons that David urges himself to remember...
Bless the Lord,
O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
Psalm 103:2
A wonderful encouragement for us as well.
What practical helps have you found for remembering God's tangible acts of love in your life?
written by Gina
Comments
I have recently been reading up on and watching shows regarding the Hasidic Jews. One custom they have is of touching the mezuzah on their door frame and kissing their hand upon entering and leaving the house. It is explained as such:
Mezuzah : (Lit. “doorpost”): A small parchment scroll upon which the Hebrew words of the Shema are handwritten by a scribe. Mezuzah scrolls are rolled up and affixed to the doorposts of Jewish homes, designating the home as Jewish and reminding those who live there of their connection to G‑d and their heritage.
The mezuzah, which is placed on doorways in Jewish homes, holds a piece of parchment containing two selections of verses ( Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and Deuteronomy 11:13–21).This is the Shema prayer, which expresses the unity of G‑d. The verses start with “Hear, O Israel, the L‑rd is our G‑d, the L‑rd is One,” and continue with the commandment to love G‑d with all of your heart. The parchment is placed in a small encasement and affixed on the doorposts of the home.1
The tradition in many Jewish homes is to place one’s hand on the mezuzah when passing by, and there are those who then kiss the hand that touched it. What is the source of this custom?
as the verse says (Psalms 121:8), “G‑d will protect your departure and your arrival from now and forever.”
Some have the custom to place their hand on the mezuzah when they leave their home, and say, “G‑d will protect your departure . . .” And the same when one enters the home—one should place one’s hand on the mezuzah.4
Through the mezuzah, every time a person enters or leaves his home, he will encounter the unity of G‑d and remember his love for G‑d. Thus he will awaken from his “sleep,” and recognize his obsession with the vanity of the times. And he will know that there is nothing that lasts eternally, besides for the knowledge of the Creator of the world.
My reminders are a gold colored wall hanging that states, "My God shall provide all of your needs." I look at it and know I need not fear-God will always provide and he has. I can read my journals to see all the countless ways he has provided. We have a doormat that says, "As for me and my house, we serve the Lord." to remember my commitment to him and love for him upon entering and exiting. I can see our Bibles out on the coffee table to remember the parts of God's word I read that day that encouraged, motivated, or comforted me.And then just to see the faces of our children and grandchildren to see how He has lavished us with love and gifts more precious than we deserve or could have imagined.
Karen