My coworkers would be the first to tell you, I’m good at remembering very specific details involving work. For example, I can tell them when an event is taking place without even looking at a calendar. And in my line of work as a retreats manager, we have tons of scheduled events.
Sometimes this remembering can be a problem instead of a good thing.
I will often try to store loads of information in my head instead of properly documenting conversations with customers. I don’t recommend this method; it can get you in trouble!
However, there are other occasions when colleagues will come to my office and say, “Hey, remember that time 3 years ago when we were talking about…? Well, do you recall what we did?”
The scary thing is I usually remember where I was, who was in the room, and what they were wearing. Well, maybe not the wardrobe part, but my ability to remember details really has become a running joke with my office mates.
If having the memory of an elephant is hereditary, then I acquired it from my mother. When I was younger, she was a school secretary. Many times, she could call a child out of his or her classroom to come to the office without ever referring to the files. She just remembered the teacher’s name off the top of her head. She was like a walking computer.
Even though remembering the finite details of my job comes naturally, how often do I really take time to remember all the blessings my heavenly Father has given me and remember that He is always looking out for my best interest?
Why do I hold things with clinched fists instead of releasing?
I am currently reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Before I started reading the book, I heard about how she encourages you to keep an ongoing list of everything you are thankful for. So I have enjoyed documenting everything from names of family and friends, to remembering that I’m thankful for the creamer in my morning coffee.
But the chapter that I just read took remembering to a whole new level for me.
Voskamp focuses on the times that I choose not to involve God in my life—the moments where, ultimately, I see my way as more powerful and fulfilling than Jesus’ way. Those are times when I rob myself of the joy that only comes from our Lord because I feel I’ve just gone too far in the wrong direction to turn back. Voskamp even refers to those times as having “spiritual Alzheimer’s.”
In these moments, why can I not simply remember that there is grace abounding?
“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” {John 1:16-17}
I am so thankful God is faithful, and He gives us a fresh start when we come to Him.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” {Lamentations 3:22-23}
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be over here working on remembering the more important things instead of the lesser ones…
A true Louisiana girl who now resides in the piney woods of Tyler, Texas, Stacy Colvin serves as the Retreats Manager for Pine Cove Camps. Her favorite season is fall but not because she’s into watching the leaves turn but because “fall” means “college football.” She loves to spend Saturdays cheering for the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (her alma mater) and believes it is perfectly fine to be a supporter of both schools. Over the years, she has developed quite a collection of fleur de lis because she refuses to decorate her home with a Texas lone star. (You can take the girl out of Louisiana, but you can never take Louisiana out of the girl.) You can follow her on Twitter @stacycolvin.
*Photo credit: jronaldlee
