What’s this Monday like for you? Is your to do list overwhelming? Are you wondering how you will remember it all?
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I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:10-11 – NLT
True confessions here. I have been forgetful lately. Yes, I could blame it on the destruction and reconstruction of my house, but I think it’s more likely that my brain is just a mess at the moment. Can you relate?
It started with forgetting to look at my calendar. I used to live and breathe by that calendar, but now that I’m retired, not so much.
So failing to check my calendar on Sunday night made me forget my hair appointment on Monday morning. I couldn’t believe it. What self-respecting Southern woman forgets her haircut? I was mortified! Good thing I have an amazing and generous hair stylist, because she worked me in the next day.
But the forgetfulness didn’t stop with that. The next morning after arriving home from the gym, the pile of clothes in my laundry basket signaled it was time to do some laundry. Standing in the laundry room, I decided at the last minute to throw in the shorts I was wearing and did a quick swap. Getting the load started, I headed for the front porch to enjoy my usual breakfast routine.
There I was, basking in a beautiful sunrise, when I thought of a friend who needed some encouragement. Intending to send an uplifting text message, I reached into my shorts pocket for my phone. My heart skipped a beat. My cell phone was not in my pocket. Had I left it in my other shorts that were at this moment spinning around in the washing machine full of water?
Sheer panic ensued, for I had absolutely no memory of what I had done with my phone. I raced around the house checking all my usual cell phone spots. No phone.
I looked under the front porch glider lest the wayward phone had fallen out of my pocket as I rocked. Nope.
I raced to the laundry room scanning the shelves for a sign. No luck. With a sick feeling in my gut, I opened the washing machine and began pulling out the wet clothes, checking carefully for signs of soggy technology, thinking all the while that my dear husband was going to kill me.
Well, guess what? The phone wasn’t in the wash. Where on earth was it? More hunting, more wracking my brain for any memory, more beating myself up for my careless actions.
And then, just when I was ready to admit defeat and go find my husband in his workshop to call the phone, I found it. It was there on the laundry room shelf beside the detergent pods in a spot that I never leave anything. Yes, there was a big sigh and then several, “Thank You, Lord!” exclamations.
As I returned to my glider, I shook my head in disgust, wondering what was wrong with me. “Why do I keep forgetting things?”
Then it hit me. I bet this is how God feels when we forget Him. I bet He shakes His head in disappointment when we turn away, mesmerized by the distractions of this earthly life. Is He heartsick over how quickly we forget an answer to prayer? Is He disgusted when we forget His goodness, His faithfulness, His very Presence in our lives?
So often, we focus on everything else around us and forget to look to God. We struggle with difficult circumstances and forget God walks that hard road with us. We feel sad about a friend’s tough situation, and yet, we forget to pray.
Perhaps it’s a matter of priorities. Perhaps it’s a matter of focus. What is most important in our lives? Our to do lists, our entertainment options or our faith? Where is our focus? Are we looking at our own reflection or looking up to our Lord?
I know I can blame my missed appointments and lost cell phone on a 50-something brain. But forgetting God, failing to follow His leading, well, there’s no excuse for that. It’s time to focus. It’s time to remember.
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I lie in the dust; revive me by your word. I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your decrees. Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 119:25-27 – NLT
PRAYER
O Father, forgive us when we forget. Forgive our lack of focus, our constant distractions. Help us remember Your faithfulness. Help us cling to Your Guiding Hand. Lead us, Lord, where we need to go, and help us remember.
Faith Beyond Sight 