Purposeful Reminiscing

“Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you”

1 Samuel 12:24 (ESV)

This weekend Ken and I celebrate 41 years of marriage! After a quiet dinner, we’ll push back our chairs and pull out our family album. For us, this is a great way to reflect on all that God has done in our lives, through good times and bad (those so-called bad times are great occasions for us to celebrate the grace of God that saw us through).

Way back on our first anniversary, we thought it would be fun to return to the same restaurant where we had our first date. We hoped we might get the table where we had shared our first meal. We would laugh over how nervous I’d been, asking for sip after sip of water… then my shock when I suddenly realized my leg bag was completely full and might spring a leak (we made an awkward trip past the men’s and ladies’ restrooms to “empty” by a tree outside).

What had been so embarrassing at the time has become something we laugh at, a sweet reminiscence of the way we have grown over the passage of time.

But on our first anniversary, it seemed everyone in LA was heading to the restaurant. You see, we were married on Independence Day weekend, and it meant that our restaurant was packed due to the holiday. After scanning the long lines, we turned around and went home. So much for a romantic dinner out. We picked up barbecue on the way home.

Although our first wedding anniversary was a little lackluster, it became one more memory to laugh about, another incident in our shared history.

Reminiscing and building new memories matter in marriage – they are touch points where God has met us. And tonight, after Ken and I reflect on 41 years of marriage, we will close the family album and thank God for how his grace led us all the way. Over and over again, the Bible tells us to remember. When we consider all God has done for us, we multiply our confidence in God. Deepening our trust in God stirs up in us an increasing desire to serve him faithfully, building on the history we have with him.

So reminisce with Ken and me this week. Take time to remember how God has been with you and the great things he has done.

Pray with me: Lord, your presence has been sweet to me. Thank you for what you have done for me in providing forgiveness and the sure promise of life with you. Help me to remember the ways you have met me in my joys and in my sorrows. As I reflect on your work in my life, may I be encouraged to see my faith in you continue to grow.