“Do you remember when?” We are often asked this question when we begin to reminisce. When we think of days gone by, we sometimes wonder what our loved ones and friends remember about the times that they spent with us. Were the memories good ones or ones that they’d just as soon forget? I can remember many of the good times of my “growing up”. There were hunting trips with my granddad and fishing trips with my dad. There was an occasional vacation with the family. One summer we (the whole family) pulled cotton to get the money to take a vacation. It was hot and miserable pulling cotton, but the memory is a good one (especially the vacation). I’m going to ask my children about their memories of “growing up”. What do they remember? Do they remember the discipline that came with their disobedience? Do they remember the fun times we had as a family? The fun times are what I hope, are brought to mind most often. It’s too late to make childhood memories with my children, but I can still make memories with them as adults. (Did I tell you that you never get them “raised”?) However, it’s not too late for the grandchildren. I encourage my children to make good memories with their children (my grandchildren) and I, too, want to make good memories with my grandchildren.
How do you want to be remembered? I want to be remembered as a loving, caring, compassionate, tender, and gracious brother, uncle, husband, dad and granddad. I want to be remembered as one who laughed a lot and one who encouraged joy and happiness within each family.
Do you remember your wedding day? What a wonderful memory I have of my marriage to the love of my life, LaDonna Sue. She is still my best friend and lover and we are still making memories.
Speaking of memories, do you remember the time you invited Jesus into your heart and life? I remember it well. I gave my life to Jesus while attending the First Baptist Church in Bishop, Texas. I was sitting with my parents on the right side of the church auditorium (looking out from the pulpit). When the invitation came to make commitments to Christ was given, I got up out of my seat and moved forward to speak with the pastor. I don’t remember the date. I don’t remember the pastor’s name. I don’t remember the song we were singing. But, I do remember being prompted by the Holy Spirit to commit my life to Jesus Christ. The moment I arose from my seat to move forward is the moment of my surrender to the claim of Jesus on my heart and life. The moment I arose from my seat is the moment of my yielding my life to Him. It goes without saying; I want to be remembered as one who gave his heart and life to Jesus Christ. I want to be remembered as one who gave his heart and life in service to the Lord. I want to be remembered as a faithful servant of God. I want to be remembered as one who pointed others to Christ.
We have a challenge to teach those around us to remember: Deuteronomy 6: 4-7 says: 4Hear, O Israel; The LORD our GOD, the LORD is one. 5Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. We must teach them to remember the One who makes it possible for us to go to Heaven.
I officiate at a number of funerals. I ask the family to write a eulogy, a listing of memories of their loved one, to be read at the funeral service. I have never had a family write negative and unhappy things about their loved one. The eulogy is always positive and happy. Will people say good things about when you when you are gone? We pre-write our eulogy by the way we live.
How do you want to be remembered?
