"I Forget"

Brethren, I count not myself to have
apprehended: but this one thing I
do, forgetting those things which are
behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13,14

Now that I'm at the age I am, I am feeling that the last thing I ever need to say to anyone in response to a question or statement is “I forget” or “I forgot.” If you pay attention around folks 60 and older, there is a hesitancy in using those words. I can understand the hesitancy. There are some conditions that afflict elder citizens that cause lapses in memory. To say they forgot something of some sort may appear to others to indicate one of THOSE conditions.

My problem is that I've never had a good memory, especially when it comes to names. We have resided in five states during our married life. I don't even recall all the women I have taught in Bible studies or Sunday school classes through those years. I've made it a habit to at least memorize first names of folks in my present although I've done poorly in memorizing some of those. When put on a spot regarding names, I almost have a panic attack trying to remember a person's name who approaches me, knowing I should remember the name. I've met ladies several times who have said to me, “Do you remember me?” Oh, I hate that question. Even if I remember someone like that, I draw a blank with that question.

People forget things for any number of reasons....illness, too busy to think, too much time has passed, medications, or maybe never had clear cut information to begin with. We should be alert all the time, no matter the age, to possible health issues. We mustn't, however, be quick to make judgments when it comes to trivial comments of forgetfulness.

The one area I am usually good at remembering are those things I should forget. There have been times in my life when I know I was a disappointment to the Lord and then to some family members and friends. I know I hurt people at times not realizing I had done it. There are so many of those things I wish I could forget, but tend to remember them, often chastening myself mentally over and over to no avail. Even with God's forgiveness, I often find it hard in forgiving myself.

It's also easy for me to remember past hurts and Satan is so wonderful in reminding me of some of those over and over. The problem with that is nothing is solved or cured. There are those who have hurt me and don't realize it. If they do realize it, they may not care if they know I'm hurt. God has helped me in my older years to measure within myself what is important to harbor in my mind and what isn't. There are things I am choosing to ignore, giving them to the Lord in prayer.

There are things we can remember both positive and negative that can be very valuable, lessons in life. The positive things we learn from are usually things that can create a prideful attitude which is a lesson in itself. Those negative things that humble us help us greatly in learning about dealing with people and the negatives in their lives.

In it all, there are things I never want to forget. I want to remember that I am loved by God more than I can imagine. I love remembering things from the Word of God that encourage and bless me even when I don't have my Bible near. I never want to forget how much I love my family...hubby, children and grandchildren and others. I want to remember how much God's church means to me where I can learn, worship and serve. All of these things bundled together have such meaning in my life along with so many blessings God pours into my life on a daily basis.

How is our memory doing these days when it comes to the things of God? Perhaps if we take time to remember those things instead of hanging onto all of the negatives that have happened in our lives, we would be healthier in every way whether in our dealings with people in general or in our personal thought life. I have to often remind myself that to God, our thoughts are words. He's well aware of the things that trouble us, especially on a long-range basis. How can we be fruitful blessings in the lives of others when we choose to harbor so many things in our minds we should have chosen to forget a long time ago. Forgiving is possible when necessary and even when that happens, forgetting is possible as well.

Sometimes when we are forgetful about some things, isn't so bad.

Thank You Father for Your thought of us. Your Word says You know each of us by name and keep us in Your mind. Thank You for loving each of us that much. In Jesus name...Amen