I’ve been involved with a lot of celebrations of late: family graduations from junior high, high school and college; a niece, nephew and godchild experiencing first communion or confirmation; retirement and award ceremonies; promotions and other work transitions of friends and associates; as well as planning for the ubiquitous June wedding. I even have my own anniversary coming up! There’s a lot going on, much of it good.
Recalling such times of blessing can help anchor us for the slow or even bad times which most certainly will come in a fallen world. Therefore, God told the Israelites over and over again using varied words, “Remember…Remember what I have done for you…Remember that I love you…Remember that I have chosen you to be part of my story and ultimate victory.” When things are seemingly at their worst, one can consider the love of God active in the past and find encouragement. That same God is also God of our present. God won’t let us go and will love and care for us always. That’s God’s promise.
Yes, God is always doing something new, but God’s love for us remains steadfast. It never changes. Nothing can separate us from such love. It is always at work for our welfare – seen, felt or not. The God who blessed us in the past, blesses us now in ways that will prove to sustain and lead us through the bad times toward a future filled with hope. God loves us so much that even our bad times will eventually be understood as somehow leading us toward our ultimate good and proof of that love.
As we race through our filled spring and summer calendars, let’s try to intentionally take stock of the good that surrounds us – both big and small things. Counting these blessings may be just what helps most when we face any difficult times ahead. Praise God, for it “is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes” (Deuteronomy 10:21).
Originally published in the June 2019 newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.
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