Memories

Tuesday, July 10, 2012 (8:30 a.m. MDT)

Questa, New Mexico

Tia’s kitchen table

Awesome, Awesome God,

I thought I would come here thanking You for our appreciation of family. Right in the midst of that thought pattern came the biggest word of this trip. Memories. SO many memories!

Father God, this visit to past destinations has been rife with laughter, fondness, encouragement and love. So very much love.

We are currently at the top of the “Circle of Enchantment”. With each time we have come here through the years, I become more aware of the reasons for the name. In a state known as the Land of Enchantment, there is so much beauty to behold and absorb.

From getting lost in thought through the quiet of the night to the sights and sounds of the days waking back up we are making more memories. Asking question after question to the sole remaining matriarch of our family we learn more.

Discovering photos we’ve never seen before, working jigsaw puzzles one right after another and watching our much-loved aunt’s feelings transform from sad and lonely to optimistic is yet another memory in the making.

You are behind all of this Blessed Father. There are reminders of Your presence every where we turn in this welcoming home. Turning to First Thessalonians this morning I read of Paul’s concern for the faith of new Believers and then of his encouraging words to them. He listed You as our source of all HOPE, challenged them to live in humble anticipation of Jesus’ return and reminded them of the commitment needed to stand firm when living in this world becomes overwhelming with it’s limitations and problems.

Paul declared the Holy Spirit as the conduit of Your Power and called all to live life pleasing to You. He even left instructions (1Thessalonians 5:14-28) as to how to do this. You guided him to this and Father I am grateful. Thank You for his reminders and good advice as to how we are to live for You.

Thank You Father for the memories we brought here with us and for the new ones we will take home. 1Thessalonians 3:6, the verse that first brought me to all this sums it up beautifully. “But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.”

Again I say it’s all because of You Most Precious God and Father. For all these memories based on Your love and Truth I thank You. Continue stirring us to use them to Your glory. We love you. We thank You. And we are grateful. Amen.

(10:00 a.m.)