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The new year rolled around and so did the new season.

The TV season that is.

A favorite show had left all of us viewers with a cliff hanger, wondering how this situation was going to work out. This week we found out.

After about 7 minutes into the new season, the cliff hanger was resolved, and my newsfeed began to light up …

  • “They must have thought we would all forget the entire season.”
  • “Why are they doing this? We didn’t forget.”
  • “This must be a reprisal of the entire first season for those who either didn’t watch it or have short memories.”

But we do forget. There are times we fail to recall the details of situations. Worse yet, we move forward neglecting to take the lessons learned with us so as not to repeat them.

Over the course of time, as the memories fail, the sting of bad choices fades and the consequences felt are long behind us.

Memory has long been a problem of people, especially God’s people. He was constantly reminding them to remember:

“But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.” (Deuteronomy 4:9, NLT)

There are three parts to this process of remembering:

  1. Be intentional. Remember what you have seen and experienced.
  2. Guard the memories. Don’t let the memories fade or slip away. Hold onto the lessons you have learned.
  3. Pass them on. Share experiences and lessons with children and grandchildren. Tell the stories in an engaging way so they begin to hold onto them as well.

Moses urged that his people take utmost care lest they forget what they had seen with the result that the whole episode and its meaning completely escape their memory. And this must be an ongoing reflection, one that remains part and parcel of the experience of that generation and every one to follow. What is implied is that such an experience with the living God must be rooted and grounded in a historical event, an event that must be recalled and celebrated regularly and faithfully by all who participate in it and benefit from it.

(from The New American Commentary, Vol. 4, Deuteronomy
by Eugene H. Merrill, pages 118-119)

Wise are the ones who can remember.
Wiser yet are the ones who choose to remember.
Wisest are those who pass it on.

 

Today I am joining … Thought Provoking Thursday and Grace Moments and #ChasingCommunity .