I've been thinking a lot about memories lately. Facebook is good to throw memories up from a year ago to decades ago.
Some memories bring a smile to our faces and give us warm, fuzzy feelings. Some bring us tears and heartbreak. Some are so fresh that a picture, a smell or a touch can bring the whole thing back in an instant. Some may have been temporarily forgotten but can be recalled with just a little nudge.
As we get older, our memory can cause real issues. In some, the memory system gets broken and can result in a devastating loss of reality. In others, memories are the only thing they can hang on to as physical abilities diminish.
I love when my family gets together and we share memories of loved ones gone on, of childhood pranks, of special moments from long ago. It's on these occasions that I realize how precious our memories are.
It keeps us connected. It ensures those times are not lost from generation to generation. It reminds us where we came from, who we are and what we stand for.
Acknowledging that God gives us our ability to remember begs the question: Why does He allow memories to sometimes be so painful? Why does He allow some to lose that ability and cause such heartache? Why can't all memories be uplifting, treasured, positive?
I don't have a really good answer to those questions but I do know that sometimes memories can cause us not to make the same mistakes. They can sometimes enable us to help someone who is experiencing the same trauma and show them there is a way through.
Memories can prove God's faithfulness and show us His steadfast love even when they hurt. And they can show us that God cares about the little details of our lives that bring us joy but also that His love can get us through the times of difficulty.
I believe our memories have a specific purpose and maybe it is our responsibility to figure out what to do with them. Maybe we are to focus on the positive memories and learn from the others. Maybe we need to share them with others to keep them alive. Maybe we need to be more intentional about making memories with those we love. Maybe we need to replace those painful memories with better ones.
Or maybe we just need to be grateful we have lived a life that provided those memories, good and bad.
