Remember When

Smell.

Sound.

Touch.

Sight.

Taste.

Our senses are powerful. 

Smells and music are my two greatest memory triggers. 

Certain smells spark memories taking me back to particular times in my life. One smell may remind me of crawling in bed with my mom on lazy summer mornings while another makes me think back to my first year of teaching.  Other smells remind me of camps, pregnancy, right after my children were born, my great-grandparents house, college nights, high school friends or when Brad and I were dating. Often I smell a scent and I am instantly taken back to a specific moment in my childhood and it's as if I can almost remember what that time in my life looked like. Specific emotions and thoughts overwhelm my mind.  

Music has the same effect.

When I hear a song, it takes me back to a specific time, a memory from my past. I remember summers and friends by songs. I think of junior high dances and high school volleyball through songs.  I think of my hopes and dreams when the song was popular and love to see what the Lord has actually done in my life since that time. 

Songs remind me of the Lord's faithfulness. 

Today I pulled out several of my favorite old cds and popped them in my car. As I drove and listened to those songs, I made a conscious effort to think back on the memories they sparked. Doing this reminded me of all the Lord has done for me. 

He has given me a hope.

He has determined my steps.

He has worked for my good.

He has proven trustworthy.

He has provided for me. 

He has blessed me.

He has taught me.

He has disciplined me.

He has changed me.

He has shaped me.

He has given me more than I could have imagined.

He has determined my portion.

He has acted on my behalf.

He has loved me.

He has never forsaken me.

He has conformed me to his image.

He has changed my heart.

He has made me more than a conqueror.

He has been my portion.

The Lord has done so much for me and in thinking back on certain times in my life, I can see how faithful my Jesus really is. 

I look forward to listening to the songs of my current interest and thinking back to this moment in my life.  In that, I am certain I will see the same anthem...faithfulness. It is Jesus' nature. He cannot deny his own faithfulness because it is who he is.  I am thankful that he allows me to see him as that, a faithful father. 

Try it.

Dig for those cds and tapes and let your memory go. 

Thank Jesus for all he has been!