To Remember, or NOT to Remember,

THAT is the....Answer

I first fell in love with the artwork of Lisi Martin (above) in the early 1980's, because the colors were so rich & yet soft, but mostly because of her artwork of children & animals. This picture is one of my 'secret places.'  A cold, snowy night, but all is cosy inside, with a crackling fire, cuddly, playful kittens, the soft lamplight & rosy, sweet, children complete the picture. I'm sitting on the other side of the room, rocking gently back & forth in my creaking, rocking chair, doing a bit of sewing, contentedly watching over my happy little brood, a smile on my lips. Soon, they will  put on their 

nightwear, have their little cups of warm cocoa, 

& I will read a story to them before

 tucking them in with prayer as I do each night.

Actually, the picture does bring back the memories of those very things, & how rich & fulfilled I always felt at the end of the day.

I have passed these along to grandchildren, which is also richly fulfilling, but most of my grandchildren now are at the age where  this is not something they are that interested in anymore (except for our youngest daughter  & my husband, who both love to be read to!) 

  It seems that a lot of who I am is mostly outdated or obsolete. Sometimes I feel like an old book that is out of print or seemingly doesn't apply to this day & age anymore. But could it be instead  that the value & importance of my 'book' has instead fallen into the category of 'rare edition'. I like the idea of that!  In all of our 'Lifebook's, there is a wealth of knowledge we have gained (some as a result of supping from the tree of the knowledge of good & evil  but can still be used to help others to avoid those paths) on our journey, & wisdom we have earned (thank you Jesus!) to pass on like a baton to the runners coming up behind us. 

This is a new year, & each day is important. Each choice makes a difference. The scripture for the new year that I believe the Lord has given to me personally is this...

"Remember not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth..."

Isaiah 43: 18-19

Our lives prior to this day are in the past. Some days were very happy, rich & fulfilling. Some days, failure, tears, grievous loss  & selfish choices have marked our way. But we can't let the remembering of them make us pitch our tents & refuse to move because of either fear of the future or grieving over the loss of "Happy Days". There is no past or future in heaven. Just NOW. & the above scripture says He will do a new thing NOW, today & every today that follows. Maybe unexpected 'Nows', but certainly adventures when Jesus is at the helm!

Now, some things we all need to remember in the coming year,
Remember...
"...His covenant forever..."  I Chronicles 16:15
".. the Lord your God..."  Deuteronomy 8:18
"...His wonderful deeds that He has done." I Chronicles 16:12
"...all the way which the Lord has led you in the wilderness.."
Deuteronomy 8:2
"The Lord's lovingkindnesses never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3: 21-24
"...Jesus Christ, risen from the dead..."
II Timothy 2:8
"...the word of the Lord."  Acts 11:18
 Those 'Remembers' are what keep us anchored for our 'todays'. 
'Remember not' those memories that keep you unproductively in the past. This new year is time to, in the (almost) words of David Farragut, 
"(Don't focus on those stupid torpedoes!) Full speed ahead!!!"
TODAY! NOW! It's where we live.
What I've done in the past that has produced life, even reading a story to my children or grandchildren, or rocking them to sleep, or singing a lullaby, comforting their 'owiees', has their reward. (Remember what Jesus said about the drink of water given.) I am still here. & so are you. There is no 'The End' written in our "Lifebooks" yet. So, listen to the Lord's 'Remembers' & 'Remember nots'. & rejoice, this year, this 'every day'. 
Now, time to return, to my comfy rocking chair & snuggy fire that gives me a wrap-around hug of warmth, & to the land of reverie & dream my dreams...to remember not... to remember...

Raintree Perk of the Day:
"Choose you this day..."
"This is the day (the time, the year) that the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice..."
Psalm 118:24