There are many wonderful benefits of the World Wide Web (when used with discernment). One of them is the ability to “meet” interesting, like-minded people without even entering their time zone. A couple of months ago, I met Sharon Hoover, who lives in our
nation’s capitol, via another internet friend (this one living in California). I’ve enjoyed following Sharon’s blog and I appreciate her passions: family, faith, missions and “living the mission of faith.” When I read Sharon’s most recent post earlier this week, I knew this was a “God-Spot” because she is writing with exactly the same intentions that I have for this series of Writing for 31 Days. Sharon isn’t blogging for 31 days, but she’s doing many other very important things with the calling the Lord has placed on her life. Visit her Web site at www.sharonrhoover.com. In the meantime, enjoy Sharon’s post:
Problem of Forgetting by Sharon Hoover
I suffer from the problem of forgetting. Perhaps you struggle with it, too?
When I take a class, I fill my notebook with lecture notes. I underline and annotate the textbook. I write outlines and essays to help me to process the information.
When I craft the new stuff into my own words, it helps save the knowledge into my brain cells. But (ugh) so laborious! Yet when I short-cut the process (yes, I have tried), my problem of forgetting re-enters and my grade suffers.
Remember, Remember
Much like a class, I have learned that each day carries lessons to be internalized. Our lack of interest and review, however, discards vast amounts of wisdom. Without intentional efforts to remember … all is lost!
We are quite the forgetful people. As we proceed to our next day of life, we tend to forget the joys and the struggles of the previous day. Sadly, lessons to be learned remain on the table of the day’s classroom. If only we would spend time processing the day, we could overcome the problem of forgetting.
Many centuries ago, Socrates stated “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Yet, our busyness with life supercedes even the tiniest bit of personal reflection day after day after day. If, however, we hope to address the problem of forgetting, we do need to better process our life lessons. Otherwise, we have to keep repeating the class!
God’s Call to Remember
Repeatedly God tells His people to “Remember me” (Deuteronomy 8:2-5, Psalm 105:5, Ecclesiastes 12:1). At first glance this seems like an unneeded statement. He is pretty serious about it , though!
God urges his people to create physical reminders: altars (Joshua 4:1-24), celebration feasts (Exodus 12:14-20), mezuzahs (a small box containing Scripture verses and attached to the home’s door frame), rainbows (Genesis 9:14-16), even physical ailment (Jacob’s limp Genesis 32:22-32).
So…why do I think that a quick overview of the day in my closing bedtime prayer is sufficient to process the day’s lessons? My failure to take time to review the day has created massive amounts of lost lessons. I imagine the Lord just shaking His head, saying, “Well… we’ll have to teach that one again. They did not get it and we don’t grade on a curve.”
Your Turn
Problem with forgetting? Get a notebook. Find the time. Process the day to learn the lessons!
“Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.” Psalm 105:5
So delighted to be a part of your 31-Days, Ingrid! I love your writing and it’s an honor to be included.