It’s frustrating when I park my car at a shopping center and can’t remember where it is. As fuzzy as that part of the memory is, I can still remember with clarity poems and songs I learned as a child.

There was a time when people were much more dependent upon memorization. Monks were expected to memorize all 150 psalms. I see the advantage to that. I have visited people in nursing homes who no longer recognize family members, but can sing along with a hymn they memorized or recite a prayer they learned as a child. Somehow memorization makes something a part of us that always remains with us.

I once was having some problems with events happening in my family’s church. My father said to me, “No matter what happens, they can’t take away you faith.” Of course he was right. Faith is a gift from God. It’s part of you and no one can take it away. Memorization has become a kind of analog for me of faith. Any time I want, I can call up the Benedictus in my mind. I can hear it being sung. “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up for us a mighty Savior, born of the house of his servant David.” The Savior came for my sake. No one can take that from me.

What’s in your memory? How does that help you stay connected to the Lord?

Read Proverbs 3:1-3 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne