A Treasured Memory

There are significant times in our lives we never forget; we treasure them in our hearts making them more meaningful and important than all other memories.  Everything about them stays clear and fresh even after many years. I’m sure many of you have those type of memories.  They are a blessing to recall and something to be thankful for.

I love the story of Jesus birth and this one particular verse, Luke 2:19 NIV But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Can you imagine it?  Giving birth to the son of God!  Today we would evaluate and dissect and over analyze something like that happening to us, but Mary accepted God’s will and treasured it in her heart.

Luke 1:38 NIV “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered.  “May your word to me be fulfilled.”  Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:46-48 NIV Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.  From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, holy is His name.

How often do we think about soaking up the moments of our lives when we are always in a hurry?  I’m older so now I say to myself, “I’ll going to stop and really enjoy this moment in time because it may never come again.”  It has made me slow down and you know what?  It’s not a bad thing at all.  Life whizzes by super-fast. 

We need to make those moments with our Lord count as well. This little baby born in Bethlehem came to set us free.  Not just free from condemnation and final death, but free from worry, anxiety, stress, shame and so much more.  He broke Satan’s grip on us, but we have to believe and accept this gift, then treasure it in our hearts, for it should be the most important and memorable event of our lives.

Luke 2:10: NKJV Then the angel said to them. “Do not be afraid. For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Wow, to have experienced that first Christmas! What a memory!   The things is, we decide what’s memorable and what is ordinary, what we store and treasure and what we overlook.  I pray you never over look the Christmas story and its monumental significance.  I pray you never overlook the treasure of those quiet moments with the Lord or those quick conversations or Holiday meals with family and friends. If you make a lot more of those moments important, you will one day be very fulfilled in your memories and comforted in your heart for doing so.

Luke 12:34 TLB Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.

 Prayer

 Lord, this Christmas and all though the new year may we not keep a record of wrongs but a recording of moments.  May we stop and really listen, and use all our senses to capture those fleeting periods of time for our present and future joy of treasured memories.  Help us to slow down and soak up your presence and listen for your direction.  Help us see that we are not mice on a wheel but souls that are loved by you and put here to show love to others.  Our lives are our gift from you Lord, may we enjoy this gift and all the other walking gifts in this world.  Thank you, Lord, for this gift of life and your gift of salvation.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

 Merry Christmas & God Bless

 Sally