Memory… is the diary that we all carry about with us. Oscar Wilde
We all have a memory bank of stored away images, experiences, joys, sadness, special people, friends, places, and it is important to keep these memories alive. They are an essential part of who we are and our story telling. If we can recapture significant moments, then we can keep those important memories alive. With our fondest, treasured memories, we are not just remembering and sharing old times. These memories come with depth and meaning. We have a million and more recollections and emotions stored away that are like the chapters of books, that go on and on. We have our photo books and albums of photographs that help to keep memories alive and fresh. We must safeguard our memories.
It is important that our children and grandchildren build up a good store of memories which will remain with them.
“” Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. Charles R Swindoll
These memories are significant and will build into a whole library of books that can be taken out and read once again. It is a library store of happy times, experiences, challenges, successes, holidays, family times, birthdays, friends, songs, laughter, sporting prowess, music and school milestones. Even the sad times, the failures, the losses, the tragedies, the problems, are carefully shared and deposited in their Library. We add tangible objects to their memory boxes -holiday novelties, special T shirts, medals, certificates, badges and a hundred and one small items that may seem ridiculous at the time but will carry so much meaning in the years ahead. The box becomes a rich collection of memories that will remain with them into the years ahead.
You have done many things for us, O Lord our God; there is no one like you! You have made many wonderful plans for us. I could never speak of them all— their number is so great! Psalm 40 v5 GNT
When we trust in, and live in Christ, there is a whole new dimension of love and care that we see that He has planned for us. They are plans to give hope and a future. Each of our days and weeks are set before us with their challenges, steps to growth and maturity, stories, friendships, ‘mountain top experiences,’ and fresh insights. These experiences are personal and unique to us. We cannot donate them to our children. They must add them to their own library of experiences. They cannot be second-hand. But we can introduce our children and others to this new section of the library.
PRAY
Lord, help us to keep adding to our rich memory store of precious memories, for ourselves, our children, our families and those that we care about.
Jane Coates
1 March 2025