We were together. Remember?

Memory is a funny thing.  Even before we develop any of the sad signs of real memory loss, we all forget things;  some more than others.  For the last three weeks, I could not remember to reset the timer on our outside lights.  When I would remember, it was either too dark, raining, snowing, or I was in bed ready for sleep.  And, although Diane, my personal in-house rememberer, would issue almost daily reminders, they also came at inopportune times.  Funny that!   I have never understood why I often forget to put the trash out on Thursday morning, but can remember every word to every song ever written in the 1960’s.

We all have somewhat selective memories.  I’m not sure that my selection criteria is the best.  But it’s good to know that some things are just as well forgotten.

This quote hangs in our home where I see it every day:

“We were together, I forget the rest.”   Walt Whitman

We all have moments, maybe days or even weeks when the time spent with someone special is so precious in our memories that the main thing…maybe the only thing… we remember, is that we were together.

When I see this photo, I really don’t remember most of the particulars, except that it was taken in Vail when Diane and I spent a few days there one summer.  Don’t remember what year it was, although it must have been long ago because I still had a lot of hair…brown hair.  Not sure where we stayed.  Couldn’t tell you what all we did, or what we ate.  I do know that I had an incredible time there with the love of my life.

The Burkes love to go to the beach.  When we are at our favorite spot in Destin, Florida, I almost always go down early, close to the water’s edge where I set up my chair…long before the others arrive.  There is something about staring out at the Gulf of Mexico, seeing the majesty of God’s creation, that makes my morning prayer time extra special.

That is me in my beach chair.  I’m not sure exactly when Diane took this photo; doesn’t matter. I usually have my earbuds in…so I can listen to old hymns or other music and still hear the waves breaking on the sand.  I have given thanks there; I have cried there, felt conviction there, asked for and accepted forgiveness there; prayed for my kids and their kids there.  I have sung out so loudly that passing beach walkers stopped and stared at the goofy old guy singing off key…way off key.  I may have gained some insight there.  I have certainly been refreshed there; experienced grace and peace there.  Perhaps most of all…there, I have known the affirmation from His Spirit that I truly am a child of God.

“For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:16 NLT

I’m sure that you have your own memories of special times alone with God, when you had an acute awareness of His presence… when all the surrounding noise and clutter of the day faded away.  You can remember that you were together with Him…maybe you even forget the rest.  Refreshment comes from being in His presence.

“Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and He will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.”  Acts 3:20 NLT

If you are like me, you may long for more of those times;  more times of refreshment that come from just being in His presence.  Maybe today is a good day to remember one of those times.  A good day to just remember a time when you were together with the Heavenly Father.  Maybe it’s a good day to make another memory.  A good day to give Him the time and space to affirm that you truly are a child of God.

Headed for the beach this afternoon.  If you should see me early some morning in my chair by the shoreline in Destin, please forgive the horrible singing!  Better yet…stop and sing along with me!

Here’s a link to a prayer sung by Lance Stafford and my favorite contemporary Christian music group, Cloverton.   It might help you clear your mind of everything else, as it does me.

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