Hi, all! 

We spent part of our most recent weekend attending the funeral service of a long-time friend and former coworker. I wasn’t officiating this one, so I was amongst the others on the church pews as I listened to scriptures, funny stories, and reminders of God’s goodness and grace. Funerals are tough things to experience, but they give us a specific time to remember.

No doubt, every one of us knows someone or has a family member who is experiencing that terrible thing known as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. One interesting thing I’ve noticed about most of those dear folks is that they often don’t realize they have a memory problem. In other words, they don’t remember that they don’t remember.

As I write these words, it has been 25 years to the day since my father-in-law suddenly passed away from massive heart attack. We remember him and his love for his Lord and his family.

This time of year is when numerous young people are graduating from various schools and institutions. Their parents, especially, look back and remember how very quickly their young folks have grown up!

This particular neon sign you see here was part of a museum display I visited in Grand Rapids, Michigan last fall. There were various different kinds of materials used in different means and modes of art, each with a challenge to “Remember Me.”

As Christians world-wide participate in what we may call communion, the Lord’s Supper, or a similar name for the same worship experience, we are called upon to remember all that the Lord has done for us. We are asked to “Do this in remembrance of me.” I can’t help but think that Jesus Himself looks down at this world gone nuts, wipes the tears of disappointment from His own eyes, and asks, “Do you even remember Me?”

My prayer for each of us in the week ahead is that we take the time — make the time — to remember the love, mercy, and grace of our forgiving Lord and Savior. Count your many blessings. Remember! And, be thankful.

Just a thought. 

’Til later.

Brad Campbell can be reached at mastah.pastah@yahoo.com.