First Presbyterian Church of Gothenburg

“Remembering” – written and submitted by Chris Wolff

 What are the memories of your youth? What thoughts do you cherish?

 The smell of seed onions brings the knowledge of the spring and summer activities to come. My dad would bring home the onions just before we worked the garden for the first time in the spring. As Dad turned the dirt with the spade, I collected all the worms so we could go fishing. I am sure that planting the garden would have gone much faster without my help but I felt like the job would not get done without me.

 I walked to and from school most days. I knew as I came around the last corner, my mom would be there, looking out the window, waiting for me. The first few minutes after I got home were spent together. We would sometimes play a quick game, other times we would start supper or get the fresh baked bread out of the oven. I knew that was my special time.

 As we get so wrapped up in all the things that we “are supposed to do” are we missing out on some of the most important things in our lives? Are we spending too much time on making things as they should be and not enough time on enjoying the people and things that are important? Are you rushing around on Sunday morning, getting everyone ready to be at the church on time or teaching the peace and joy found in prayer and fellowship? Spending your time and energy making the perfect Sunday dinner or making the backdrop for a time to be together with family and friends. Working to create the yard that is worthy of the landscaping magazines or enjoying the pretty, little, yellow flower that your daughter picks for you?

 Let’s think about the things we do, evaluate the need for such things, and put the priority on the things that will be remembered.

                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remembrance.  What does that word bring to mind?  Do you think of loved ones past, friends, good times and bad?  Do you think of Memorial Day, and special functions?  Maybe it’s the Armed Forces that come to mind and all the boys currently serving.

 Like most, my first thought went to family and friends who have passed.  Then to birthdays upcoming (most of which I forget by the time they’re here.)  Next to preparations for Decoration Day, (as Grandma called it.)  Got to dig out the artificial flowers and dust them off!  I found the Flag the other day and now can’t recall where I put it.  Well, it’ll go up when it reappears!  Somewhere in this month is armed Forces Day.  Do we do anything special for it?  I don’t know.  Guess I’ll have to look into that!

 Have you any idea how many times just that word is in your Bible?  Get a Concordance and look it up  I was amazed!  Jesus wanted us to remember!  Who and what He was and what He did and what God did and is doing for us.

 At any rate, I hope I’ve given you something to think about.  Not that you’re just sitting there with your heads empty!  May is the month of remembrance, so get busy!

 With happy thoughts of spring.    Sandi B.