Do You Remember?

Oh how I love September! It's my birthday month, and autumn is (hopefully) just around the corner. It is also the time we all strike up "September" by Earth, Wind, & Fire -

Do you remember

The 21st night of September?

Love was changin' the minds of pretenders

While chasin' the clouds away...

I'm not gonna lie - I'm ready for September - love - and chasing clouds away. And I'll sub out the 21st for the 24th for my own lyrics - now I'm ready for this month! This song always makes me wonder what happened on the 21st of September. I looked up a bit about the song, and the best I can find is that that detail is a secret to the song writers. Someone out there knows... and remembers...

Memory is such an important part of our faith and life. It is so much more than just nostalgia. What we cherish as memory tells us something about who we are and what we most value.

In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, we get The Shema, a key prayer passage for our Jewish friends. The word shema means to listen, the first word of this verse. Memory is emphasized. Don't forget. Keep these lessons close to you. Tell your children. Write them on your doorframes. Mold them to your hearts. Remember.

This month at Sanctuary Groups, I'll ask you to remember - to pay attention to your memories. What people do you love and cherish and need more time with, or need to speak gratitude into? What are your true priorities? What brings you happiness? What happened that drew you to faith? Do you remember?

How deep can we go with remembering? Have a talk with a loved one. Pull out the scrapbooks. Scan through your old videos. Ask important questions. Read. And most of all listen.

When I lead meditations, I usually remind participants that prayer happens in two ways - we ask for what we need, and we listen for God to respond. In doing so, in listening, in getting quiet - we often find our way, and the reminder of God's love for us.

What do the things you remember tell you about your life? May you find time to listen - learn - and remember.

"Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us." — Oscar Wilde