Precious Memories Filled with Gratitude, Comfort and Joy
“The memories we make with our family is everything.”
The day after CHRISTMAS! A day of reflection –thankful for the precious gift of family. It was a day filled with Gratitude and Thanksgiving. Gathering round the table, we remembered those who were no longer with us -we received comfort and joy in knowing they will always be a part of our family and the family of God – never forgotten!
This Christmas we received a thoughtful gift from our daughter and son-in-law. As soon as I opened it, precious memories entered my mind. This gift was a Frameo. It was amazing to see the many treasures of family and friends that appeared on the screen in a timely manner. A click, a ding… and you had pictures that you could enjoy for years. I knew that it had been popular for several years, but I never thought about having one. I had received this precious gift, but nothing compared to Jesus’ unspeakable gift. In 2 Corinthians 9:15 the Apostle Paul says, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable (unspeakable) gift!” This was the ultimate gift from God – His son Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers! Needless to say, this special gift it is now a part of our household. Amazing how a picture can immediately take you back to your childhood. Immediately, thoughts of my grandparents popped in my head. I fondly called them my Mamaw and Pappaw! I loved going to their home on weekends and hiding from my papaw behind the door - waiting for him to come home from work. When he knew I was coming, he would save something special from his lunchbox. I received the warmth and comfort of his hug and the joy of eating a special snack. They gave me a gentle hug, filled with lots of love. Oh, how I miss them. But I have the Blessed Assurance that I will see them again someday.
My mamaw - compassionate, caring, loving, an encourager, and comforter. She was an instrumental part of my life. As a little girl, she read the Bible to me, just like my parents. I knew that “Jesus loved me! God’s word, the Bible, tells me so!” Mamaw was a talented seamstress. I was privileged to have her, along with my mother, make my wedding gown. She spent many long hours hand stitching the lace and hand sewing the satin buttons on my dress. How proud I was to tell others that my gown was made with lots of love from my mamaw and mom.
“Family: where life begins and love never ends.”
When I first started thinking about this devotion on Memories - gratitude, joy and comfort, my thoughts turned to the time when my mamaw made me two special flannel gowns for my wedding shower. These gowns were adorned with eyelet and pearl buttons. Her frail, small fingers were crippled with arthritis, but she didn’t stop. In love, she pushed through the pain and hand stitched every piece of eyelet around the neck and wrists of those priceless gowns. Now you normally wouldn’t consider flannel gowns to be a gift for a bridal shower, but to me it was the BEST gift of all. I was filled with gratitude, comfort and joy. She gave her love, just like God gave Jesus, His Son to die on the cross so that we may have the GREATEST gift of all – everlasting life. (John 3:16) Ironically, I still wear flannel gowns and everyday I am reminded of my dear, sweet mamaw. In 2 Thessalonians 1:3, it emphasizes the importance of expressing gratitude for the growth of our faith and love within the family. Praying for our family with a thankful heart, celebrating unity in our family members- remembering to do everything for the glory of God. As we enter a new year, may we continue to cherish those precious memories. Memories filled with Gratitude, Comfort, and Joy. In a few days God will be blessing us with a new year. We will all experience hardships and trials during this year, but we will never forget the Gratitude, Joy, and Comfort that only He can bring. God Bless you and make lots of Family memories blessed by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
