Don’t Forget to Remember
No one can ever prepare you for parenthood, but there were definitely some aspects of the new role I knew to expect. Sleepless nights, spit-up, snot… I was ready for those. But I was definitely NOT ready for my short term memory to go on sabbatical. At first, I thought it was just a symptom of pregnancy. However, after enduring 3 pregnancies, birthing 3 babies, and raising 3 littles, I can confidently affirm that “Mom Brain” is not just limited to pregnancy. Unfortunately, my memory has suffered a permanent blow. And even though I make lists like crazy, set reminders on my phone, and stick post-it notes everywhere, I still struggle to keep it all together. It’s tough to remember everything.
You might be surprised to know remembering is important to God. Each January at the beginning of a new year, I spend some time reading in Deuteronomy. Here, Moses readies the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. He shares God’s Ten Commandments with the Israelites and speaks to them about the importance of living God’s way. And several times during Moses’s speech, he mentions remembering God – not forgetting what He did and who He is. Check out a few examples:
“Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live.” Dt 4:9
“Be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt.” Dt 6:12
“Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands and laws.” Dt 8:11
See? Just a quick sampling of Deuteronomy reveals this central theme of remembering.
So what’s the big deal about remembering?
Well, after studying it, I’ve noticed a few things.
Remembering is linked to obedience, while forgetting is connected to disobedience.
Notice in Dt 8:11, Moses connects forgetting the Lord to failing to obey Him. It’s kinda like when I ask my kids to put away their laundry. Every once in a while (but not often, because I have perfect, angel children), they forget, and the job doesn’t get done. Is this intentional defiance? Are they refusing to obey? Not usually. Most often, the issue is that they simply forgot. And their forgetting leads to disobedience. But, if we’re honest and dig a bit further, we uncover a deeper issue:
Remembering reveals priority.
We remember things that are important, right? Or at least we try our best to. If something is super important to me, I’m going to take all kinds of measures to make sure I remember it – putting it on my calendar (phone and print), writing it on my dry erase board in the kitchen, sticking a post-it note on the door or in my car… whatever it takes. If it’s important, I’m going to help myself remember. And I tend to remember things of importance that happened in the past. Remembering something reveals its importance. On the other hand, if I forget something, then it obviously wasn’t as important as the other things that occupied space in my brain.
(Now I understand that there are exceptions. I totally get how the tyranny of the urgent and the demands of the immediate can sometimes take over. But the majority of the time, in the usual rhythms of our normal day-to-day routines, we find ways to remember what’s most important to us.)
I think what Moses is trying to tell the Israelites (and us!) is that God – who He is and what He’s done – it’s worth remembering. God’s character and deeds should be of utmost importance in our daily lives and in our memories. And when God is top priority for us, then we remember what He’s done in the past. We remember His character. We remember His promises and laws. And we obey them.
All of that should be true. But is it? Sometimes I let other things creep in and take over. It’s not that I want to be forgetful and disobedient. It’s just that I get busy! And God knows that about me – about us. In fact, He warned the Israelites about that very thing:
“When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers to give you – a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, vineyards and olive groves you did not plant – then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord.” Dt 6:10-12
God knew what would happen when His people entered the Promised Land. He knew they would get comfortable, safe, happy, and busy. God knew. And He knows the same happens to us today. That’s why He wants us to remember.
And that’s why each January, I try to take time to reflect on what God has done around, in, and through me. What has God accomplished? What has He taught me? And how has He revealed His character to me throughout the past year?
What makes this remembering and reflecting ten times easier is my journal. All I have to do is flip back through the entries of the past year and I’m reminded of prayers He’s answered, Scriptures He’s taught me, and ways He’s shown me His faithfulness. Journaling isn’t always easy, and I definitely don’t journal every day. But journaling does help me sort out my thoughts, feelings, and prayers. And having a written record of God’s work in my life ends up being pretty cool.
Whether you flip back through your journal, your sermon notes, your calendar or the pictures on your phone, make some time this week to remember God - to think back to who He’s been and what He’s done on your behalf. I think you’ll find that reflecting on His steadfastness in the past strengthens your faith as you wait for His faithfulness in the future.
