I recently wrote three brief thoughts for an Advent devotional that is connected to a Facebook page (links are located at the end). There’s also a link to a .pdf document of the entire series if you’d like to have it. Here is the second of the three. - John
Memory
Psalm 42
1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
6 My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
8 By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?”
10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
We should never take memories for granted. Moving through the holidays, many reflect on the family gatherings of the past. I hope yours are warm, full of smiles and a few tears of missing those who have passed. I also know that not everyone’s memories are places they want to visit.
A few years ago, my father died from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease. It became such a vivid reality to realize how important memory is for living day by day. Although my father had little to do with me for most of my life, as his memories faded, I was able to spend time with him and even enjoy some of the time we spent together.
But it faded fast.
Many people can reflect upon a relationship with God that was stronger in the past than it is now. Sometimes that’s because God seems far away. With the Psalmist, we ask, “Why have you forgotten me?” We long to be close to God, but He seems distant. What would it mean if God’s memories faded like my father’s?
Two times in this Psalm, we are reminded to “Hope in God.” I’m thankful that we read of the longing to reconnect with God, the tears and pain of being separated, the questions and wondering about God’s provision. It is all a very human reality.
The wonder of Advent is not really found in our surroundings but in our memories. We remember God’s presence in the past. This reminds us of God’s presence in the present. “I will remember,” the writer says in verse 4. Let us all remember in this season of memory.
Questions:
1. What one person from your memories helped make you feel special?
2. If your relationship with God is not as strong as it once was, what memories might call you back to a closer relationship with Him today?
Prayer
Father, we sometimes feel far away from You. Would you draw us in closer? Would you use our memories to help us see clearly the path ahead? As we move through this season of Advent, would you focus our attention on the joy to come? Amen.
Linkage
LINK to the first in this series of three.
LINK to the Advent Photo-A-Day Devotional Facebook page.
LINK to the 32 page .pdf file including all devotionals and photos.
LINK to Wiki on What Is Advent?
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I always felt loved and wanted by my grandmother Acher. She was the most lavish gift giver around. Since I was being raised in a no celebrate Christmas congregation--I was a bit confused. But today, I see she was Jesus with skin on for me. So my memories of her are very precious.
Not sure how to answer question 2. I wrestle with God a lot. Our Pastor says as long as you are wrestling you are in touch. So, perhaps plodding on is the best answer for me.
Thanks for the devotional. It offers good insight and things to think about.
I remember 3...1. My 3rd grade teacher Leona Roach. She was so kind to me. Knew our family situation. Id walk by her house in summer. Her daughter grown by then was in college, but had a playhouse. Id sit with Ms Roach as she relaxed in the sun and we would talk. Then she let me go into the playhouse for awhile. I could not even dream of such a place.
2. My bible school teacher when I was 4. Mrs Van Buren. She drove a Volkswagon Bug. She picked me up and took me to bibleclass. It was funny because she picked up two older girls and they sat in back seat. They had so many petticoats on they had to hold down their skirts. I looked forward to each sunday. She stopped once by her house so I could go in with her and feed her cat before we went on. What a treat that was to me.
3. Was our neighbor. She sold avon. Her husband was an elder. Her son was grown and gone so I could play in his treehouse. I was always alone unless I played with my younger nephews and nieces.
Mrs Blanche Magnuson. She knew we did not have much and she always kept the little cases of sample lipsticks. She asked momma if it was ok...and she would allow me 1 of my choosing, just to play with. I could not wear it anywhere. I was in grade school. 3rd grade. She would let me come over and let me look at all the pretty bottles she collected from her sales. She was from Texas. My moms name was Annabelle. But she called her Anniebelle.
I'll never forget each one.
I also loved going to the elderly neighbors, sit on their porches in the evenings and they told stories of their childhood. I loved it.
We also had a lady (older) who drove a team of horses and a wagon...she picked up trash and took it out to her farm to be burned.
We moved so often I never really made friends or settled in at a school. So I appreciated these who gave me care!