So, I’ve seen lots of posts lately saying that for teachers, it feels like May has like 100 days. Well, I thought that was a cute statement around mid-May, but now, I think it’s quite accurate. We finished up round two of testing today, and I’m so thankful we’re on the homestretch, but I tell ya, this teacher is T—I–R–E–D. Big time.
That fatigue comes out in little ways. Like I have forgotten my phone a couple times as I’ve run out of the door in the morning. Today I forgot my favorite coffee travel mug as I left school. (I’m gonna miss that in the morning.) And I’ve not been proud of some of the words that pop into my mind when I’m feeling a bit stretched thin…nope, not proud at all, and it is taking more and more deep breaths to ensure that they stay in my head and don’t come out. I’m thinking it’s a good thing that tomorrow is May 31st–a very, very good thing.
Well, today, I came home after teaching, then tutoring, then running some errands. I walked through the door around 6 or so. We had plenty of leftovers so I decided that it would definitely be a good leftover night. We had some fresh blueberries and I was gonna add them to the ‘menu’ and as I went to reach for them, well, the whole container fell to the ground. Oops. Fatigue strikes again.
But as I went to reach down to pick up those blueberries scattered all over the kitchen floor, it was like I was transported back to a moment in time close to 30 years ago. My oldest was around 2, and had this little Radio Flyer walker wagon that he pushed around everywhere. He’d pick up stones, and green tomatoes, and ….blueberries. Amazing the number of blueberries this little guy and I picked during those sweet summers on the lake. As I reached down to pick up the blueberries on the kitchen floor, a sweet memory of those days gone by just made me smile.
Today on this Thankful Thursday–well, I’m thankful for the gift of memory. I’m thankful for the wonderful memories we can look back on and laugh and smile and just remember. Memories can strengthen us and encourage us and just make us smile. It’s such a gift to remember those sweet moments. I’m even thankful for those memories that might not be so great because they been great teachers. (Most of them, anyway.) Sometimes, when we look back, well, the perspective we have now helps us see things in a beautiful different light.
We never know what can trigger a memory. Could be a smell, or song, or even blueberries spilled on the floor. But somehow, these little things can unlock memories that spill out from long ago. So, I’m thinking it’s a good good thing to have things to help us remember what it’s important. Photos, songs, and ‘remember when’ sessions can help us to be encouraged.
All through scripture, we’re reminded to remember. As important as it is to tap in to the sweet moments of days gone by with family and friends, how much sweeter it can be to ‘call to mind’ what God has done in our lives. Lamentations 3:22,23 is often quoted. It says,
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”
But do you know what words precede those verses? It says,
“But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:”
Having Hope is a good thing…a very good thing. Our world needs it desperately. Seeing the goodness of God in our lives can melt away tons of stress and enable us to be in the moment rather than preoccupied with this or that. I love that the verse says, “I call to mind”…it’s a deliberate attempt to remember….and it leads to having hope. I think there are so many things we can do to help us remember God’s goodness. In the old testament, folks were instructed to build monuments to remember what God had done. I’m thinking we can do the same thing with even post it notes or words in a journal, or pictures on the wall. We can put in place things in our lives that ‘trigger’ the remembering of what God has done…and therefore we can have hope…
Well, I don’t wish on you that you spill blueberries all over the floor to trigger a flood of memories. But I do hope that you (and I ) will put things around us to remind us that we’re not alone–that God is good,. He loves us and calls us to a life lived with purpose, a life honoring Him. Somehow, I think remembering what He has done will lead us to invite Him into the present in so many more ways…and that invitation can change everything. (And if you’re like me during this month of May, well, you’re aware that you need hope and perspective in fresh doses–desperately!)
Blessings~
Heather
“These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God, With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence. O my God, my soul is in despair within me; Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan…
Psalm 42:4-11
soletusknow 
Thank you so much for this beautiful message. It brought tears to my eyes as I drifted back to the glorious time when my boys were little and the fun we had together.
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Aw…..Am so glad my spilled blueberries ended up bringing you sweet memories too! ❤
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Timely post for me and well written!! Choosing to set my mind. Remember God’s faithfulness! Love you!!
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Setting our minds on what is true… (singing one of our first trio songs in my head). Yes, remembering God’s faithfulness as well! Love you!
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