PRECIOUS MEMORIES (Psalm 113)

Just to remember God is a blessing--now and tomorrow and always. (Psalm 113:2, MSG)

Mea culpa. I just looked up the definition: An admission of guilt. A formal apology. Both of that, as well as a guilty plea.

My cry for most of the last two weeks, when I have neglected my daily nibbles. Thankful Roberta was faithful with her nibble on Monday. :)

Why? Last week I was writing a week of devotions for a magazine and I found I couldn't do both. Some of them were tough, and I am trusting God that He has shown me His word for the readers, even when I feel inadequate.

This week I have felt poorly every day until today. So . . . I haven't worked on my next book or on my nibbles. I have done little except cry, scream, or exercize my pain-sharded legs while counting the minutes until my next pain pill. It was bad enough that they took me to the hospital to x-ray the legs. No results yet, though.

So forgive me for my absence. Don't feel sorry for me, but when I'm absent, it's often the reason. So your prayers are appreciated.

As other times, I have let the Nibbles go for similar reasons, I have suffered the same result. My mind wanders. I'm not focused. I am not revitalized in my spirit, the way I am when I write these bits each day. In letting the urgent reign over the important, I only harm myself and end up not accomplishing either.

The devotionals I wrote last week: they were work. They had to fit a specific length and have a certain tone. I am glad I did them--but they aren't the joy I get from writing these.

This verse is a wonderful one for me to dive back in. I should print it out and tape it at the top of my computer. Because thinking about God, His Word, talking about Him with people--all of that will bless me more than I can ever give back to God.

It is an eternal truth, good yesterday, today and tomorrow. Remembering God's actions in the past give me strength in the present and hope for the future.

Always? It will always be true. Even in heaven, when we can't help but being aware of God's presence, remembering God will be a blessing.

In some ways, the perfection heaven promises to be almost sounds--dare I say it?--boring. But this verse promises that it will be a blessing. As C.S. Lewis said in The Last Battle, "Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before." I don't know what it will look like, but I believe I will find ultimate fulfillment of whom God created me to be in that future.

Coming back to the present, remembering God also gives me the self-image and confidence I need to move forward. Who'd a think it.

Not for our sake, God, no, not for our sake, but for your name's sake, show your glory.
Do it on account of your merciful love, do it on account of your faithful ways.
Do it so none of the nations can say, "Where now, oh where is their Gd?" (Psalm 115:1-2)