This post is part of a blog carnival where we all write about “Remember.” The honors of hosting go to Peter Pollock of Rediscovering the Church, and I encourage you to check out all the entries as well as Peter’s great blog (if you’ve never done so).
How can something so simple be so hard? “Just remember… Don’t forget…”
I probably tell my kids a hundred times a day these words or something similar. They need to remember to put their shoes away when they come in the house. Remember to work on your homework. Don’t forget to feed your guinea pig. Don’t forget to pick up your toys.
Not only is a lot of energy expended on reminding them to remember, but I also let them know when they forgot.
“You forgot to put your backpack on the hook. I told you to get your coat out of the car. You forgot to bring your lunchbox upstairs for me. You didn’t put the blocks away after you played with them.”I get frustrated sometimes that concepts so ridiculously simple as “if you get something out, put it away” as well as the every single day routine things slip my kids’ minds.
As parents, we know in some ways we are preparing them for when we won’t be there. We want them to internalize our voices so they don’t end up slobs who can’t take care of themselves. Beyond that, we hope our voice is heard when they have the opportunity to show kindness and be a good neighbor, and that they trust God and learn how to lean on those God puts in their lives.
Part of that puzzle requires me to be out of the equation for the fullness of that reality. My kids (as young as they are) sometimes think they’re ready for that, but they don’t realize that when that time comes it’s sink or swim for them. They take little steps of independence and grow along the way.
This is why I not only remind them what to do, but I constantly remind them who they are and how much they mean to me. I tell them I love them a hundred times a day. You can ask them, if I say, “You know what?” then they know nine times out of ten that what will follow is “I love you.”
I make it a point to make as much noise in celebrating their wins as I do shouting about how they’ve disappointed me. I want them to know how proud I am of their accomplishments and who they are becoming.
Sometimes we get mixed up. We think God is always reminding us of our weaknesses and lack, telling us what to do or what not to do. He certainly wants us to move at His leading and obey (because it will end in our blessing and fulfillment), but to the infinite degree, God is a gracious and loving Father.
He reminds us constantly of His love, grace, forgiveness, and abundant life. He tells us not to forget who we are and whose we are. He draws us in close to remind us of precious promises and truths.
We’ve got to hear and understand both reminders or we’ll end up with fear and disillusionment overwhelming us. If I don’t understand how much I’m loved, how can I attempt uncomfortable walks of faith? If I don’t understand that I’m a son whether I succeed or fail, I may never recover from a setback.
I don’t want my kids just to remember what to do and when to do it. I want them to remember what amazing people they are, how much potential they have to change the world, and how loved they are no matter what.
Let’s internalize His voice, His promises, His truth in all forms. He’s not going anywhere, but we do have tests in our lives. And the tests are fantastically simpler to pass when we enter them prepared.
Remember who you are: bought and loved. That's the place to start and return to over and over. Everything else will spring from there.
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