REFLECTIONS

Reminders

In the entry of our home the family Bible lays open to welcome everyone who enters. The large Bible dates back in our family a hundred years. Inside its covers, my grandmother recorded important dates like birthdays, marriages, and deaths. Also, throughout the Bible she placed pieces of memorabilia from special occasions and locks of hair from her children. And most importantly, the open Bible serves as a reminder of where we came from.

There are other reminders of our family spread about our home too. As you move through our tiny home, my grandmother’s library table sits in a prominent place surrounded by photographs representing our family at various stages of life, and a few of my dad’s paintings to remind us of his hidden talent. We treasure these pieces because they represent the stories of where we came from, our time in this world, and a little about who we are. But we have other reminders throughout the house that are not about family.

Standing outside our front door is a small wooden cross. Other beautifully crafted pieces by an artist who has meant a lot to our family decorate our home. But the crosses are not there to remind us of family history. They are there to remind us of Jesus Christ. They remind us that He died for us, and that Jesus the Christ lives with us here too.

God tells us that it is important to remember our past and how He has been a part of it. We remember the covenants that He made and the reminders He gave that keep Him on our minds. Rainbows remind us of His covenant with Noah, circumcision reminds us of His covenant with Abraham, the Passover meal reminds us of his promise to Moses, and the cross reminds of his sacrifice and resurrection from the depths of death.

And one more thing. Reminders help us remember to tell our children and our children’s children the story of God in our lives. It is the greatest gift we can give them. When we tell our children how God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, we introduce them to the loving arms of our gracious God. And we should leave reminders of family stories too.

We owe them the memories.

“You are the light of the world.”

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org.

Click here for Printer Friendly Version