When In Doubt, Remember...
“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. ”
“…remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me”
Middle age has come like a gale force wind and hit me over the head. All of a sudden. I don’t think it was a gradual, moving-into sort of thing. It was definitely a WHAM - You’re Middle Aged! And there is no doubt I’m nearing the half century mark. Things are starting to get fuzzy, like where in the world did I put my phone down? I know I just had my car keys, but I can’t find them! Panic sets in. Emotions go into overdrive and I take out my foggy frustrations on the kids or lash out at my husband. And then the clearing begins and I retrace my steps, discovering where I have been and where I set said item(s) down. To be truthful, it often takes another member of my household to help me find things, to help me remember where I’ve been so I can move onto where I need to go.
“We all forget where we’ve been and where we are going.”
Isn’t our spiritual existence much the same? Maybe we’re not all in the “middle ages” of our journeys, but I dare say we all forget where we’ve been and where we are going. When we are faced with uncertain times, such as these, our memory of God’s goodness perhaps becomes hazy or altogether forgotten as we look to worldly sources for information or enlightenment as to how we ought to live. We find comfort in things we can control (or rather, in things we think we can control). And although some information may bring us comfort, still other information causes us so much doubt. What is God doing? Why is this happening?
It seems so “middle aged” of us to so easily forget the things that the LORD has done. We may not understand what He is doing in our world or individual lives. We might not perceive the “why’s?” of His ways, but we are not called to understand everything the LORD does.
“Who had understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor?”
We are called to remember what He has done and then trust His ways. How do we know that the LORD is good and trustworthy? We remember, as our forefathers did, the things God has done, the miracles he has performed, the works of his hands, his great love for us, and the grace he extends.
“Remember His wonderful deeds which he has done, His marvels and the judgements from His mouth.”
Remember.
Now What?
How can you help your kids find comfort and learn to trust God as you navigate the uncertainty of social / physical distancing and the fear surrounding COVID19?
What are two practical things you can do to turn your mind away from the worries and fears that you face today and turn them toward trust in the LORD?
Take time to talk as a family about some very specific ways that God has been good to you, and what you remember that he has done.