Tip of My Iceberg

An always popular party motif is remembering when. Dressing up according to a bygone era, finding clothes that reflect a time that’s only a memory for some, history for others.

When Isley came by to show us her 80’s outfit, I was struck by how she’d managed to mimic the fashion of that decade. Google is a huge help–you can check what was in and what wasn’t.

Finding those items is another issue.

Goodwill and thrift stores are always possibilities for treasures to use. Or people who choose never to throw anything away might uncover a wealth of what’s needed.

I remember my kids going dressing up in 50’s garb. Poodle skirts and saddle shoes, ponytails, and pink sweaters. They laughed at what had been fashionable, not imagining anyone would ever want to show up in public this way.

Remembering is a wonderful thing when those memories bring a smile to your face or allow you to relive a sweet time that had a lasting impact.

Too often we’re prone to recall the hard things in life, the pain and trauma that has affected us. It becomes a weapon against our hearts, repeating like a toxic loop of hurt in our minds which can cause us to question our value to anyone.

Or to God.

When the nation of Israel was finally ending their wilderness wandering, preparing to head into the Promised Land, Moses reminded them of all God had done for them to bring them to this point. These were his final words to his people–Moses wouldn’t be entering that place with them.

He emphasized again and again that they should remember what they had seen and what God had done for them.

Don’t forget to remember. Remember not to forget.

“Remember every road that God led you on for those forty years in the wilderness, pushing you to your limits, testing you so that He would know what you were made of, whether you would keep His commandments or not. ” Deuteronomy 8:2

To remember all they’d been through–how God had freed them from Egypt and protected them from the plagues, how He’d given them food and water in the wilderness, how their clothes and shoes never wore out, how they defeated enemies that attacked them–was a reminder of His goodness and love to their nation.

It’s human nature to forget how we’ve been helped in our need, especially at times when life is good. Moses reminded them that when life was satisfying, don’t forget all that God had done.

“Make sure that when you eat and are satisfied, build pleasant houses and settle in, see your herds and flocks flourish…make sure you don’t become so full of yourself and your things that you forget God, your God, the God who delivered you from Egyptian slavery; the God who led you through that huge and fearsome wilderness…” Deuteronomy 8:12-14

Remembering what has happened is an exercise in appreciation–what has been and how we’ve grown. There will always be tough times in life, but rather than allow those times to weigh us down, we need to remember how God has seen us through.

It’s more than fashionable to remember well.