A Good Word Wednesday #10

Good Words for Your Good Day!

Word of the Week: Remember

We’ve all received many reminders to remember recently.

• We’ve just observed another anniversary of 9/11. Many people posted on their social sites: We will never forget. And really, how could we ever forget something so tragic and life changing? I’m sure you can remember where you were and what you were doing that fateful morning in 2001.

• Globally, we’ve mourned the passing of Queen Elizabeth. While she wasn’t our Queen here in the States, and the closest we ever probably got to her was standing outside the gate at Buckingham Palace (that was me), she still had a presence in our lives that was impactful.

  

• In my own family this past week, we celebrated the life of my husband’s Aunt Charlsey. She was 92 years old, so there were many memories to share of a life well-lived. At the memorial service, there was a table with a variety of photos of this funny, spunky, loving, people-person women. Many family members stood around the table and shared a few stories and a few tears.

I’m not known for my incredible memory. Quite the opposite. When Johnny and I are watching a movie, he will say, “Don’t you remember this? We watched it in 1984 at the theatre.” I will just stare at him amazed that he can remember anything that many years ago. But for me, it’s like watching a brand new movie. Forgetfulness has it’s advantages.

What helps you remember? I’ve heard it said that women lose brain cells with each child they birth. Good thing I didn’t have more than two! But my daughter, Rachel, was like having an extra brain walking around. She could help me remember (names, grocery list, appointments, etc.) and seemed to be connected to my nonfunctioning brain receptors. That worked out for me until she left for college. I’ve never fully recovered. My granddaughter, Leah, is providing that same role for her mom now.

What are some things that you do to help keep your brain functioning sharply? Every evening, I like to do jigsaw puzzles on my Kindle. And I play solitaire and FreeCell. And, or course, reading helps me keep my brain working. (I know I should play Sudoku, but jut not my thing.) I’ve learned to write everything down and have an app on my phone, Evernote, that helps me remember what to write in these emails each week.

In many churches, a table like this is in the front of the sanctuary. Carved in the wood are the words: “This Do In Remembrance of Me.”

In church, the Lord’s Supper, calls us to remember. Some of you observe it every week. Some of us, as in our church, it is about 4 or 5 times a year. But each time, it is designed for quiet reflection, a time for repentance, a call to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross, time to eat the bread and drink the juice (or wine) together. And an opportunity to go and share the message of salvation with the world.

How do you observe the Lord’s Supper, or Communion, or the Eucharist, in your Body of Christ? What does it mean to you?

Wednesday in the Word:

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Luke 22:19-20 NIV

Words I Recommend

• Good Videos - Remembrance Video, Matt Redman

  In Remembrance of Me Video, Cheryl Keaggy

• A Good Blog - Stories for Global Good. Here is a fun memory I have from 1979. (Good thing I wrote about it so I could remember the details!) Join me in Washington D.C. On July 5th, in the dark, in Dupont Circle

A Final Word

What actions do you take to remember the life of someone you love? You can:

• Write a letter, a journal entry or blog describing what that person meant to you.

• You can give a donation and/or volunteer your time to a nonprofit with a cause your loved one would support. (If you live in the Duncan, OK area, here is one to consider: Christians Concerned. They need both your donations and your presence to serve those in need. Christians Concerned Facebook

• What have you done to honor and remember the life of someone you love? What can we do as the Body of Christ to share his life and love with others? What are some practical ways? Reply in the comment section please!

As always, until next Wednesday, share a Good Word with someone today!

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