Unlocking the memories
I unlocked my battered old trunk and with it, a rush of memories. I found my splendid doll collection (although my sons called it creepy) and we dug out the boys’ puppets and recalled the riotous days of “X-Puppet”, their version of X-factor, in which Trevor was a hilarious Louis Walsh, Johnny was a severe Simon Cowell and I was, worryingly, Sharon Osbourne.
Memory is unpredictable. Recently, someone asked me if I remembered a uni friend. I had absolutely no recollection – until about a week later when suddenly it came back.
Sometimes, one of my sons says something in a certain way and it is as if Trevor is in the room. Or I dream of him and he is present again, so vividly that it lingers. Yet, often I am caught in my present moment and the past is locked away.
Which set me wondering how many memories are packed into my little head, jostling for air. I wondered how many faces I have seen. One survey suggested that the average person sees around 42 million faces in their life-time! Compared to medieval times, when your social circle was your village, that’s staggering. We apparently have the capacity to recognise between 5000 and 10,000; only then do we run out of mental space. My google photos keeps telling me to add extra memory – that resonates!
However much we forget, the call to intentionally remember what God has done is not optional. I was struck this week that the idolatry of God’s people began with spiritual amnesia. He never forgot them but they forgot him.
“They soon forgot His works and failed to wait for His counsel.
Psalm 106:13
As for me, I even forget what God did for me last week. It’s only a week after Easter but yesterday I had a full-on, aggravating kind of day and forgot that Jesus has risen and here. He is still risen by the way.
So, what helps you remember? Sometimes I make a list of ways that God has helped me; always it lifts me. Try it some time.
Remembering is a key spiritual discipline. This is why we share communion and we remember that beloved body broken on a Cross for love of us, we remember his blood has power to cleanse us from all our sin and we remember his promise of the great feast when all our pains and sorrows will be healed.
As we look back over a year of lockdown, remembering what God has done can feel like an effort but it is more than worth it. What do you remember?
I will remember the works of the LORD;
yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.
I will reflect on all You have done
and ponder Your mighty deeds.
Ps 77:11-12
