I was stressed coming home the other night – I knew I was forgetting something. Milk? Toiler Paper? Fruity Pebbles? My brain was working overtime. Nothing. I parked the car and walked through the house looking for clues to what I couldn’t remember. Nothing. Finally, Brook walked through the kitchen and asked, “Where’s Ashlyn?” I immediately dropped out of the race for the dad-of-the-year award. – Seriously though, how could have I forgotten something so important?
The bible commands us to “remember” or “don’t forget” over 350 times. The apostle Paul even had to tell the churches of Colossae to “remember my chains”. How could you forget that the Apostle Paul was in prison? I think that out of shear fear of being smacked down in some epistle, I would have sent him a care package once per week!
Apparently a lot of Christians have memory deficiencies.
The fact is, we get so overloaded with the fine details of life we forget to make the “first things” first in our lives. We tend to live life only dealing with the things right in front of our face: get the kids dressed, school, teachers meetings, supper, laundry, milk, toilet paper, and fruity pebbles. Everything else is – out of sight out of mind. The most important essentials lose priority when our lives move at Mach 4 speed.
As we move into Labor Day weekend, I want to give you three things to ponder. Three essentials to move back to the top of your priority list. So, take 30 minutes this weekend, grab a notebook and pen, get quiet, and Don’t Forget to:
Don’t Forget: To Listen to God’s Voice
Slow yourself down so you can hear. Start your day in 1st gear instead of 5th gear. Open the bible and listen. Put on a teaching CD and listen. Pray and listen. The most brilliant ideas you will ever get will not be your own – thy will come from God. There is nothing in the world like knowing that God is speaking to your heart. As a matter of fact, God is speaking every day, the question is whether are not you are listening. Nothing inspires me and gives me energy like hearing God’s voice. It’s like gasoline for the soul. So, take the time to tune in. Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Don’t Forget: To Invest into Your Family
Have fun with your family. Make some memories. Memories are the monuments of our lives. They are the moments that we will go back to – and it’s those moments that will melt your heart and mean the most 10 years from now. So – get out of the house. Take a drive. Take a risk. Do something out of the ordinary. Laugh together. Play together. Enjoy your family – and put the pictures up on the wall. Fill your home with “remembers whens”. You know, “Remember when we…” Those phrases come from family members who have invested in each other.
Don’t Forget: To Influence Others
You have influence with someone. No doubt about it. There is someone, for better or for worse, who looks up to you. They listen to you. Whether it’s a family member, work associate, neighbor, or friend. Someone thinks you’re cool. Imagine what would happen if you used that influence for the kingdom of God. You know, brought someone to church, steered a conversation towards spiritual things, or prayed with a hurting co-worker. Being used by God will change your life like nothing else. I have a feeling that if you just used the influence you have right now for God’s glory – God would give you more influence to work with.
Have a Great weekend!
By the way, Ashlyn’s okay. I’m sure she’ll need counseling by the time she’s 18, but that was a given anyways.
Brook & I are praying for you,
Marcus
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Reading your story reminds me of a time when I was rushed. I was running late and had to hurry my daugther (Brianna) to school, so I wouldn’t be late for work. I throw some clothes on the both of us, grab a breakfast bar ( to late for pancakes), jump in the car and take off for school and work. We were both on time. At lunch time I went to Mac Donalds, and as Iam standing in line a SHOCK COMES OVER ME!! I FORGOT TO PACK A LUNCH FOR BRIANNA!!! I felt so bad and angry with myself (Dad-of-the-year for the year 2000 for me was gone). I left my job as soon as I could stopping my Wendys on the way, because I knew she would be hungry. When I arrived and walked into the class room all the kids greeted me telling me about the food they gave to Brianna that day. The teacher said, that when the other kids found out that she didn’t have her lunch, they gave her food from theirs. Brianna had more than enough to eat. God can provide even when we cant, but like you stated, we all need to slow down and “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD.” Psalm 46:10. (Now if I can only be still and find my car keys.)