Making Memories...Making a Life

I thank my God upon every
remembrance of you.
Philippians 1:3

More people than I can remember have asked me how my husband and I ended up in Eastern Tennessee when we retired. My husband had never been to this area until our first vacation here a year or so after we were married. I wasn't sure how he would take to these mountains, but he sure did.

When very young, I was brought to Eastern Tennessee by my Mother and Grandmother on vacation. My child's imagination ran wild as we drove through the mountains, seeing the rock-filled streams, flowers and an occasional deer. However, as fascinating as that first trip was, I had already been to the mountains as far as I was concerned.

Folks from Southern Illinois would laugh at me for this, but my first mountains were at a place called Giant City State Park. There was a wonderful playground, but I was much more interested in the trails through the woods and rocky areas of the park. In that park I could pretend to be a pioneer girl. It's where I learned something about directions and how to take in everything around me. This state park had/has a lodge. It was a huge log building where you could go sit in funny (rustic) furniture and buy souvenirs. Today, it also has a wonderful dining room added on to it. It had cabins people could pay to stay in. That was really my first of being inside a log structure that I could remember. I decided then in my elementary youth that I wanted some day to live in an area with mountains or big hills. My house now, however, isn't a cabin in any way.

I say all of this to say that parents and even grandparents often have no idea where memory- making can lead. As parents we may plan special events for our children or take them places usually that we like more than they do. Somehow they survive all of our connived plans and who knows what might rub off on them. Our children as adults love coming to the mountains. Not too surprisingly, some grandchildren have also come and can't wait to return.

There are so many ways parents and even grandparents make memories. My children remember Grandma's goulash...my grandsons usually request my chicken spaghetti. I'm not talking about huge events, things or even big expense. It can be the little things that shape a life, but that can be huge in memory banks years later.

Think of others in our lives who helped shape us that we so often forget. I think of neighbors in my growing up years who were almost like family members. Remember those Sunday school teachers and youth leaders? I didn't know what a youth or children's minister was. I had Ruth Young who did a little of everything with the children in our church. She was the first one who said to me, “Glendarae, some day you will be a great teacher.” I don't know about “great” but I think of Ruth so often when I teach ladies in Sunday school, conferences, retreats or Bible studies. The Randolphs had us teens in their home and took us all over the place. Memories galore thanks to the investment of such dear people just in our home churches.

School teachers have left impacts on all our lives more than we can know. I think more of the little things. I learned from Mrs Wolfe, a high school teacher of mine, who one day sensed I was going through a tough time. I was, but never told anyone about it. She stopped me after class one day to express a concern and to lend a listening ear. She will never know what that meant to me that taught me to this day the importance of an encouraging word, being sensitive and available to people who are hurting and who can't bring themselves to talk about whatever the burden might be.

The most important influence we can have in the life of a child of any age has to do with spiritual and emotional encouragement along the way. With computers in our day, we have a perfect means of sending little typed messages to children or grandchildren. When I purchase books for family members, I try to get books that will build character or that presents Scriptural principles. The smallest things said or given can have greater influence in lives than we can imagine, things that say to another that we believe in them and God's purpose for their lives.

Think back and recall things said to you or things given to you that encouraged you so much at the moment. Perhaps those came your way by someone who has since passed away. There is no way now to give them a huge thank you. The best thing any of us can do is repay those dear folks by following their example. We live in a world that expects big things. Most folks in future years remember so many more of the little kindnesses than huge gifts or big things done.

How do I repay a Ruth Young, the Randolph's, Mrs. Wolfe and so many others? I learn from their example and in their examples, I see Jesus. We are always to strive to be like Him. Philippians 2:5 begins...”Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus...” and from there, we see so many of His characteristics. There are hurting children and adults around us who need a touch of kindness and encouragement. In all of that, we will build memories in lives that can be life changing down the road. We may know nothing of results until Heaven, but that's not to be our concern in the present time.

I never knew Jesus in His physical presence nor has anyone else for approximately 2,000 years. That's not necessary at this point. He has not only left me with eternal life, but has given me a life of the sweetest of blessings that are turned into memories that have completely changed my life. The least I can do is to pass some of that along through investing in the lives of others.

Thank You Father, for the memory makers in my life. I thank You for those folks who taught and encouraged me, especially in my family and extended family. I pray I will have the joy of making some memories in the lives of others, especially among the young. In Jesus' precious name, the One Who gave me the greatest of memories...His life for my sin.....Amen