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Nov 24, 2024 06:00am

Reminders

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Reminders. How many times have you looked at an object and been reminded of a tender moment in your life?

My wedding ring reminds me of that hot July day when I married a cute guy I was head-over-heels in love with. Twenty-four years later (along with three kids and four dogs), we are still immersed in this crazy life together.

My Scripture cards remind me of a time when I lived off of God’s Word. It was a time when the Lord brought me face-to-face with my biggest fear in life. It was these cards that brought me life, hope, and eventually freedom.

My Bible reminds me of my dad. You see, it was his Bible. When he died, it was the one possession of his that I wanted for myself. Not only did he bring it to church each week, it transformed him and his relationship with the Lord.

God believes in the power of reminders, too. During biblical times, people relied upon prophets to teach them. They relied upon oral teachings and recitations of Scripture. They would memorize Scripture through these teachings and then recant them at their feasts and festivals to their families. God commanded them to do this purposely so that each generation would remember God’s love and faithfulness. In addition to this generational faith, God also gave them some visuals that would prompt them to remember Him.

One specific group of people he gave visual reminders to was the second-generation Israelites. Before crossing over into the promised land, God gave His kids (who had a track record of forgetting) a powerful reminder: tassels on their garments (Numbers 15:37–41). Each tassel was blue and reminded them of God’s commands. Perhaps God chose blue because it reminded His people of big and vast things, like the sky and ocean. Perhaps on a deeper level, God wanted to remind them He is the Creator of big and vast things.

God knew their flesh would want to do, well, fleshly things in their new way of living, and the tassels served as a reminder of godly living. Ultimately, the decision was theirs. The tassels reminded them each day to love God and to live it out . . . because it’s easy to forget.

Friends, what if we did the same? I don’t know about you, but I can get so comfortable in life that I forget God. I can get so caught up in being busy and distracted that I overlook God.

Something as simple as a visible object can change this and spur our hearts to seek Him, talk to Him, listen to Him, and love Him. You see, love is a choice. And sometimes, it takes an object to remind us of this choice, each and every day.

So, here’s my challenge to you: make a blue reminder of your choice to love God. For years, I wore a handmade bracelet. It was comprised of three strands of different colored blue threads (like a typical friendship bracelet) that I wove together. Anytime I was teaching, I saw it. Anytime I was driving, I saw it. Anytime I was at home cooking, I saw it. And anytime I was tempted to do something that wasn’t coming from love, I saw it.

If bracelets aren’t your thing, maybe it could be a blue ribbon tied to your keychain. Maybe it could be a blue tassel hanging on your rearview mirror. Think about something you would see every day–it doesn’t have to be flashy or grab attention. It can be a private thing between you and God.

Let’s just say, it worked for me. It didn’t mean I was perfect—I still made mistakes (and still do). But, it did help draw me back to God when I messed up. When I questioned God, it was there. When I wandered away from God, it was there. When I was upset, it was there. Seeing that bracelet reminded me that I have a God who loves me, no matter what. He is for me, not against me. He is a good Father, and he is worthy of my trust.

Because, at the end of the day, it’s all about love, friends—God’s love. It’s choosing to love God and follow Him. He is where our identity is. He is where our purpose is. And, He is where the light is. Reminders can help us walk in the light of God’s love every day.

It’s worth it because He’s worth it.