Memories are funny things – they can produce a wide array of emotions. This week I was invited to view my school’s new Alma mater page. One of the first things I observed was a picture of my Dad, with the date he was chairman of the board. This elicited many memories that produced immense pride and a tad of sadness.

Memories are moments in time that make up our story, becoming our personal portable diary. Consider Mary’s emotional experience with her child. First, at his birth. “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Lk.2:19 ESV). And then as a “rebellious” preteen. “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress … And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart” (Lk.2:48-51 ESV). Long before the invention of photographs, Mary had her own portable memory book – her memory.

Memories can become unhealthy when they anchor us to deep hurts of the past. Somethings are best left in the past. For instance, one suffering from PTSD can get “stuck” because of survivors’ guilt. Instead, we ought to take every thought captive (2 Cor.10:5) and choose to focus on the good of the present (Phil.4:8). The best way to do this is: confess (1 John 1:9); receive forgiveness (Heb.10:17); accept your renewed life (2 Cor.5:17; Gal.2:20); & leave the past where it belongs (Lk.9:62; Phil.3:13 “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”).

So, what memories are good for us to focus on?

First, remember how hopeless and useless we were before we became Christians,
(1 Cor.1:26 “My dear friends, remember what you were when God chose you”).

Second, remember our salvation, (Heb.2:3 “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation”…).

Third, weekly (not weakly) remember Christ death by joining His church as together we partake of the Lord Supper – every first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

Friend, may God bless you with memories that are healthy, vivid, and heartwarming.