Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles and the judgments he pronounced, O descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.

(1 Chron 16.8-13)

When I awake to weariness instead of wonder; when the hours of the day feel like a punishment instead of a privilege; when those I love are labouring under heavy burdens which I can do nothing to lift..I do not feel like praising God, my heart is not rejoicing in my circumstances and prayer turns quickly into complaint..on such days, I have a choice: to let my feelings dictate what I do, or to turn – by God’s grace – to his word, to the truths about him which never change, and to remember, to remember..

I remember that my parents were brought to living faith in Jesus in their teens, and that faith was sustained and matured over decades of faithful life and service, so that at their deaths, many stood up to give thanks to God for their kingdom building work. Their faith informed our family life, creating stability and a domestic witness which shaped my own life and faith. I and my siblings were committed to God as infants, and grew to profess faith on our own account. We all walk today in God’s grace, sharing that most precious double-bond of faith and family ties. We have been preserved through physical and mental illness, and can each testify to God’s most tender love for us, and strength sustaining us through our darkest days. I will remember and give thanks…

I remember that God has brought true friends alongside me at every stage of my life, many of whom remain with me till today. He worked through them to keep me from loneliness, to teach me about fellowship and the joy of working with his people in his service, to enrich my joy in creation, in my own abilities, and in all the good things which are so abundantly given to me. Their counsel is so often His voice for my guidance and instruction; as well as companionship and delight: and in sharing life with them, I have been blessed to serve as well as to be served. Their long-suffering with my weaknesses has taught me so much about my Father’s patience, forgiveness and love. I will remember and give thanks….

I remember that God has given me a heart quick to respond to beauty – light, sound, colour – and that in Him, I know to whom I owe thanks for that gift which lifts my spirits a hundred times a day. I cry out in delight, and my cup of gladness is continually refilled by his generous hand. His intimate knowledge of me is shown in the variety of ways that I receive these tokens of His love and care for my needs. I will remember and give thanks…..

I remember that God has brought me into marriage, and has kept me in and through over 25 years of shared life. I remember that my husband is another sinner who has placed his faith in Jesus, and who serves God’s kingdom according to his gifts, and whom I am called to love and cherish – am privileged to support and encourage. It may not look like much, but we too are kingdom builders, and there is nowhere else I would rather be. I will remember and give thanks…..

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

(Ps 63.6-8)

As I write these words, my Lord, the lover of my soul is spreading a canvas of incredible colours across the sky, bathing the distant snowy clouds and mountains in a wash of softest pink, against a sky of palest egg-shell blue. I see it and rejoice in His kindness to me today. The heaviness of my heart is not proof against such demonstrations of love!

May we never be without the strength to choose to remember how good God has been to us, and above all, to remember his goodness in saving us so that we might know, love and be loved by Him!