Remembering

“I will meditate on all your works, and consider

all your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:12 (NIV)

I stepped out to our patio and the chairs were just as we had left them a week ago. Arranged around our fire pit, I could almost see the family members sitting there. The last night my daughter Heather and her family were home, and after the kids had gone to bed, we sat around the fire and talked.  Their year back east was drawing to a close and they were heading back to Idaho. What a year it had been! I watched the grandchildren for chunks of time while their parents traveled overseas. We made memories together of tea parties, crafts, library time and Quinn learning to walk. I changed diapers and read stories at bedtime. I remember it all.

I’ve just returned from another visit and I spent a few days with my daughter Susan and her family. I was responsible for Addy’s early 5 am feeding. She has been a cuddler from day one and found a special spot on my chest. I loved spending time with little Levi too and am convinced that he will be a politician or caregiver when he grows up. He greets everyone he sees, everywhere he goes, and puts smiles on faces. He also invites me to sit and watch a DDD (DVD) with him. I remember every minute of my time with these grandchildren who live only five hours away.

Friday was my daughter Katie’s last day of school. She is a second grade teacher. I commented to her that I still remember her last day of second grade. She wore a sailor dress to school and won a spelling award. As we instant messaged on our computers, I asked if she remembered that we always celebrated the first and last day of school with a special meal. “Yes,” she said, and then added, “and flowers!” Yes, we remembered.

Saturday I participated in one of my “unfavorite” things—a garage sale. My husband and I are preparing for an eventual move now that he is retiring, and so we are downsizing. From Christmas decorations to fondue pots, from craft materials to a set of old dishes, each table was filled with items that represented a thirty-eight year history. As I tagged each one, I remembered.

Memory is one of God’s gifts to us. It serves a purpose so we can retrieve what we need, whether it is giving counsel to a friend, telling a story to show a life lesson, reliving a precious experience, or answers as a student taking a test! On Memorial Day I wrote to a friend and said that we should have a Christian Memorial Day—one that celebrates our remembering how God has worked in our lives. The children of Israel did.  They set up stones at Gilgal to remember how God dried up the Jordan River (just like He did the Red Sea) until they had all crossed over. Their stones were set up “so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.” (Joshua 4: 24) 

Do you have any stones of remembrance today? Relationships, events, provision of daily needs, struggles, celebrations? What does your memory capture that reminds you of God’s love and faithfulness?  Perhaps a memory will remind you of His intervention or an answered or unanswered prayer. Make the month of June a “memorial month.” Journal a memory each day and remember your God. (c) Marilyn Nutter

Fiesta Chicken

A “fiesta” is a festive event or celebration. Our memories often travel back to times of fun events and celebrations that make us smile or laugh. Even when our memories lead us to remember tough times, we can “celebrate” the God who shows His unfailing love to us. This recipe comes from my daughter Susan. She had prepared it and froze it before I visited so it was ready for us to enjoy. Yes, our newborn was cause for a fiesta!

Mix together:*

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup salsa

½ cup water

1 cup corn

¾ cup uncooked white rice

Pour into a 2 qt shallow baking pan. Place 1 lb boneless chicken breasts on top (about four pieces). Sprinkle paprika on top. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until chicken is cooked. Remove from oven and sprinkle with 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Return to oven so cheese will melt. Serves four. 

* I think adding a can of drained black beans would also be good--maybe some crumbled cornchips sprinkled on top before the cheese is added. Use your imagination! Have a fiesta!