One of the many side effects of Aaron’s seizures and even of some of his seizure meds is memory loss. It makes me sad to see it sometimes.
Gary and I took Aaron out to eat the other day. While eating, I got a text saying that his day group would be re-opening on Monday. I was sharing with Aaron the names of some of his friends that he would get to see again. At the mention of one of his friends, Aaron’s face was blank.
I was surprised because just last week Aaron had facetimed with her. Yet his forgetfulness was genuine just a short time later.
As I get older (and older and older 😊), I find myself often saying, “Remember when…?” Gary and I do this at times, remembering events and situations of the past, sometimes with joy and at other times with regret.
There is an incident recorded in the book of Numbers…the book I am now studying…that has impacted me this week and which I want to, well, remember.
The children of Israel had traveled for a year in the wilderness. In chapter 11, we find them complaining about their lack of good food. They remembered all the variety of foods in Egypt, forgetting their horrible life they lived there as they ate that food.
They begged for meat, so God told Moses that He would give them meat. Then Moses seemed to have memory loss as he questioned just how on earth God would be able to supply so much meat for so many people.
Are you kidding me?!
Moses had seen miracle after miracle, and he dared wonder how God could manage to find meat in the desert?
Actually, Moses asked God how he…Moses…was to get the meat. Moses left God out of the picture.
Moses was run down, discouraged, tired, burdened.
Pretty much like we feel today.
Here we are, on the first day of a new year, trying to summon hope in the middle of our burdens.
2021 must be better than 2020, right?!
It HAS to be!!
We can’t handle anymore stress in our world and in our homes!
But I think that deep down we all know that we are entering this new year staring ahead at huge problems that still loom large.
That’s why God’s answer to Moses is a HUGE promise to each of us who know and follow God.
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Is the Lord’s power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.’ (Numbers 11:23)
Another version of what God said was this: “Is the Lord’s arm too short?”
That phrase brought to mind the fact that Pharaoh was said to be the possessor of a strong arm. Yet God defeated Pharaoh with His much stronger arm.
Remember, Israel?
Remember all the plagues and the miracles?
Remember the exodus from Egypt?
Remember the parting of the Red Sea?
How could they forget?!
Yet I am no different. How can I so often forget what God has done and what He has promised, to ME?
I have been challenged by others to have a word for this year. And so my word is:
REMEMBER
Primarily, to remember just who God is and that His arm is strong and is long enough to carry me and help me and protect me.
To REMEMBER God’s past answers to prayer.
To REMEMBER His promises to me in His Word.
To REMEMBER Who He is, and how He never changes.
God’s arm is never shortened, and His power is never limited.
So may I…and all of us…remember.
This new year here in our neck of the woods has begun beautifully.
May I allow God’s beauty to permeate my heart every day in the uncertain times ahead as I…
REMEMBER!
He Said What?! 
Memories both good & bad are one of the tools that God uses to form us into our best selves.
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Yes indeed! May we learn from all of it! Happy New Year!🎆
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Beautiful post. Yes the struggles in our face sometimes have a funny way of causing us to forget the victories that God has given us in the past.
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Short sighted sometimes, aren’t we? Thanks for reading!
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What a great post! Thank you. My Bible study group took a quiz to determine each person’s word for the year ahead. Mine was Overcome. I like yours…Remember. They go together, don’t you think?
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Those two words go very well together! As we remember God and His faithfulness, we can overcome through Him. I’m so glad you shared that with me! Happy New Year!🎊
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That’s a great word, Patty. Our pastor was just talking about this last week, and how we should remind each other of the goodness of God, of God’s provision for us, of God’s faithfulness to us. So, on days that seem to last forever, we will REMEMBER that God’s arm is not short. God can overcome any obstacle to be victorious. Thanks so much for the REMINDERS!😉
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I will count on you, my friend, to help me remember during those times when I am becoming forgetful and tired. 💖
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You’ve got it!
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Patty, a beautiful and true post! How easy it is to forget the ultimate power of God; and that we can rely on Him. Thanks for the reminder to remember. Happy New Year to you and your family!🌺
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Thank you, Jeanne! I know I will often need a remember reminder. 😃 I’m thankful God understands. Happy New Year to you and your family as well. 🎆💖
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I love this verse: The Lord said to Moses, “Is the Lord ‘s power limited? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.” Numbers 11:23 Just last night I said to my husband, “All of this NYE stuff is nonsense especially because nothing has changed! We are still facing some giant hurdles! Let’s go to bed.” So we did. BUT GOD’s POWER IS NOT LIMITED! Amen, amen, amen!! I need to look past the obvious and remember God’s promises, AND live them too. Thank you for the kick in my attitude that I needed! ❤️ I love your word too: we should all incorporate ‘remember’ into our minds for this year. Thank you sweet Patty for this timely message!
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I just love your input, Cecilia! You always encourage me and bring a smile. I agree with you – nothing has changed just because we are now in 2021. But neither has God changed! So we shall all encourage one another to remember His Word and His promises as we face this new year.
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My sister and I were just talking about and remembering God’s hope and the timeliness of it with the Bethlehem star. What a fabulous way to end the year as a reminder He is still on His throne. ❤️
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So perfect! ♥️♥️
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I’m curious Patty, will Aaron possibly remember her by the time he gets to the day group or is it a permanent memory loss? 2021 WILL be a much better year because we will make it better with Gods love.
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He remembered her after I reminded him of some things about her. When he starts seeing her more often he won’t forget her at that point. It’s interesting how it works. He also had to be reminded of another friend he hasn’t seen in awhile. Thanks for asking, Diane.
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Ah, yes, how easily we forget! So thankful He remains ever faithful and so patient with us! Blessings to you all in the new year!
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Thank you, Marisa. Where would I be without God’s patience?! Blessings to you in this New Year as well!
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Remembering God’s faithfulness helps us to keep trusting in Him. Thanks Patty!
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Thanks for stopping by, Dawn!
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Beautifully said!! I love that your word is ‘remember’ …what a great choice!!
I’ve thought about this lately too, that just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean problems will cease yet I feel like there’s so many people who are thinking this way and great for the positive mentality BUT hopefully (when troubles surely come) they ‘remember’ God is in control and He has got this!!!
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Amen!! God is in control and we must remember that fact.
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