Originally published Sunday, 22 February 2015.
A gathering. Laughter. Life. Love. Fluffy and light scones, jam and cream, tea - yes Devonshire tea. Daughters and Granddaughters together to remember a Mother, a grandmother. Much loved. Much missed. She would have loved it. Not just for the tea in the fine bone china cups but for the connection, the conversation, the sense of occasion.
Remembering is such an important part of life. To remember and to celebrate the good - the anniversaries, the milestones. And yes to remember those that are no longer with us. We do it as individuals, families and nations. We remember the victories, the accomplishments and the significant.
It is a habit that God encouraged His people to do. To create memorial stones at places of breakthrough and victory so that generations later would pause and remember what God had done. Seen at the place where they crossed the Jordon river. He created Feast days, so that His people would also remember and celebrate the victories. An opportunity to celebrate the victories of the past giving strength for the present and hope for the future.
It is good for us to pause and remember the testimonies of what God has done for us. The healings, the answered prayers, the breakthroughs. By doing this we continue to be more aware of God in our lives. We become more aware of His presence and nature. Remembering our testimonies stirs our hope and strengthens our spirit to keep on, knowing that our God never changes and is true to His promises. It keeps our expectation and our faith high.
"I have inherited your testimonies forever, for they are the joy of my heart." (Psalm 119:111)