One Thing I Wish

I have often envied the personality strengths and the abilities of others. There are many strengths I don't have that I've often wanted. Had God offered to grant me one wish in the area of ability, I might have asked for a great memory. I've forgotten many verses that I once memorized; not remembered much from great books I have read; failed to remember the names of people with whom I spent significant time. And now of course as Jan and I are studying the challenging Vietnamese language my memory deficiency is glaring once again.

While I've never had a good memory (you could confirm this through my high school French teacher, were she still alive), I have worked hard at obeying Scripture and cultivating a healthy "spiritual memory". Many times in the Bible, God's people are told positively to remember and negatively "not to forget".
God warns the people of Israel through Moses many times. See for example Deuteronomy 6:12, 7:18, 8:2, 11, 18. As they are entering the Promised Land, God challenges them to remember all the miracles He has performed for their liberation and protection. He calls them not to forget Him and His commands, even though they will be surrounded by city-states where people worship other gods and have different moral standards. The danger is immanent that when they are safe and prosperous, not feeling a great need for God's help and protection, they will forget and wander from God.
The other day a pastor friend shared with me the story of a young couple in his congregation. In the midst of a family crisis they were at church every Sunday, being strengthened by the love, concern and prayers of God's people in that faith community. But the crisis is past, all is well, and he has not seen them at church for quite some time. It seems like they are suffering from a very bad spiritual memory.
If you, like me have a poor memory, I empathize. But please, make sure you remember what is most important: God's goodness to you; His loving relationship with you; and the wisdom of obeying His Commands. Cultivate a healthy spiritual memory.
Oh, and there are two really good things about a having a bad memory. 1. It is impossible to hold a grudge when you don't remember what they did or who did it to you. 2. When in old age you develop dementia, no one will notice the difference. Don't forget - I told you!