Memories

Welcome to memorial day weekend! This is a time that we take to remember those who sacrificed their lives in the service of our nation. We remember those Veterans who gave their all so that we might be free. What a great time of remembrance.

Though officially speaking the Memorial Day holiday is for those fallen heroes to be remembered, it has often become a time when we, as Americans, remember our family and friends who have gone on before us. Time is often taken to reflect upon their memory and even going to decorate their graves with flowers.

We are painfully reminded in the Scriptures how that we cannot alter what we have done on this earth once we are in the grave. There is no way to better formulate your memory once you are deceased. Therefore we are admonished by the Word of God to do our best while we are yet alive. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

This day of remembering those who are past is nestled directly between Mother’s Day in May, and Father’s Day in June. This bids us think about what kind of remembrance are we leaving for our children. We will be unable to change the memories once we are in the grave, the work of building great memories with them must be done now! How will our children remember us?

Will they remember us for our shortcomings? Will they remember that we were angry and often lost our temper? Will they remember that we were preoccupied and did not care about their needs or problems? Will they remember that we could not, or would not provide for their needs? What memories are we forming in our children’s minds?

This is seldom something that is not thought about while our children are still young, but we see the reflection of such memories of failure when they become grown, and truly at that point it can be difficult to change. It is impossible to change such memories from the grave.

Take time to create wonderful memories with your children that they will hold onto forever. Work hard to spend time with them, play with them, talk with them, and love on them. Let them see that you are reasonable as a parent, and not always blowing your stack. Let them see that you truly do care for them and have time for them. Show them that you can be the provider that they need you to be. Begin working hard now to form the memories that they will have forever. Take the time, while you have the time to give a great memory to your name.