I read once, "Remembrance is the key to faith", and I agree wholeheartedly but I would add to that "Remembrance is the key to faith, love and friendship." I think back to when I first met my Jesus. I was 9 and at camp. I knew all about Him, but I really had never known Him until June 10, 1990. He sought after my heart, I believed completely He was who He said He was, and I was saved. I remember the moment I realized God loved me "as is". It was after I read "A ragamuffin gospel". I had never felt so liberated in my faith. I remember when I fell in love with Scripture, I remember the first time the Holy Spirit illuminated the Word. I felt so special that God himself would come and speak with me. I have fallen away and returned in my faith walk time and time again. It is remembrance that always brings me back. My Father has been so good and I have been so unworthy. I remember, and it always makes me smile.
My first year teaching, on the first day, I remember looking into the faces of all my new students, hoping I would not screw everything up. Now, as I look back at that class, I remember how I made it through all the unknowns that came my way. And remembering gives me hope, as I sometimes look at my new class wondering how I will ever get through to them. I prayed so hard for my first year's class to come to know my Jesus. This year, I saw answers to those prayers. One of my students came up to me this year and told me she got saved! Then a week later, a boy in my class this year came up to me and asked "Guess what I did this weekend?" "Caught a big fish?" I replied. "Nope, I got saved!" he responded with a big smile on his face. My husband and I were able to watch him get baptized the following Sunday. I had my students write a paper called "I have a dream" papers in honor of MLK day. Joey wrote " I have a dream to be a pastor. I dream to help little boys and girls understand more about God." I could not have been prouder. I wish I could tell you that all my memories are this pleasant. I also remember the day Sara told me " I didn't do my homework last night, cause our house was on fire. " I remember the time a parent told me she had no money to provide her daughter basic necessities like warmth and clothing. I remember a student in my class bring a knife to school and threatening to bomb it. I remember being heartbroken as I realized the affects of poverty on the faces of children I love dearly. Remembrance is truly the key to love. Because as I reflect, I remember why I love being a teacher. I love knowing, that no matter what chaos happens at home, my students are loved and prayed for in my classroom.
Remembrance is the key to friendship. I remember my friend Debbie on my wedding day. She filled in all the gaps and wore herself out, to make my day extra special. I remember my friend Katie and how many times she has patiently listened to my very long stories. I remember my friend Emma and all the times we have laughed at things that sometimes, just weren't funny. I remember my sister Amber and I shopping till our feet hurt and making cookies just to prove that our recipe was better. I remember the birthday party my husband threw for me. As I looked around the room, it was filled with people and memories that made me very thankful for the life I have been given. Someone once said "The happiest people on earth are the people who want the life they already have." By remembering, I am truly one happy girl.
