Remember, Renew, and Give

Dec 3

Some of my earliest memories as a wee child involved big church ideas. I sang truths about Jesus loving all the little children; I prayed with faith Jesus would keep my soul when I laid down to sleep; I learned the verity of the Bible as it told me these things were so.

Repetition, song, prayer. Corporate church, church ladies, neighborhood faithful, and parents taught me and others. Over time learning developed and the concept of grace expanded my lexicon and the person of grace entered my heart.

A lifetime of living and I’m still learning the enormity of grace’s gift. I’ve grown from giving a little change as a tiny tot to grateful giving from a rescued heart. As the master teacher, Jesus guides you and me into spiritual maturity which teaches we too, do not live to be served, but to serve. We value humility over pride and wisdom over foolishness.

Living in the dualities of life on earth and in heaven is big girl hard. Life can be remembered in black and white images of hurt given and pain received. We tuck into tender hearts events and indelible suffering; we forge into unyielding minds pain and haunting memories. We remember deep in our souls and forget early lessons of childhood and later lessons of grace.

Jesus loves me this I know… Jesus loves all the little children…Jesus forgives me this I know… Jesus forgives all his children… the Bible tells me so. With bowed heads, humbled hearts, and repentant souls we try again, love more, and forgive others. It’s our greatest work to achieve, lesson to learn, and act for others.

“Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?”
He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
-Matthew 22: 36-40 CSB

God knew we would struggle with sin and self. He created humans for relationship to depend on Him and remember the sacrifice and suffering of Christ. He provided new mercies each morning and sacred rituals to come back to Him. He gave us holy times for renewal.

This Do in Remembrance of Me

These words inscribed on the communion table in the church of my youth remain in my heart, soul, and mind. The blood and body of Christ. The sacrifice and love.

Remember

We can never be worthy of taking the emblems of Christ. We can’t do, love, or forgive enough. We can only examine our cores every time we participate in communion and determine if anything stands between us and the holiness of God. We strive to take the sacraments in a manner worthy of the love and sacrifice of Christ. In precious moments, God transforms us again, moving us from repenting to rejoicing.

Remember

If life is lived for others, then communion is taken for self. It’s time for reflection, remembrance, and rejoicing. And while the conversation is personal, time allocated comes from our corporate church, embracing the words of Christ.

I remember teachings from church ladies, neighborhood faithful, and my parents. I remember the children’s lamp with a nightlight on my white bedstand. The nightlight glowed as prayers rose for Jesus to take my soul if I didn’t wake.

I know one day he will take my soul because his light lives within me. Until then, we live in fleeting moments, lived and given to others, because Christ died and gave to us. For a few quiet moments, we examine selves and renew hearts in holy space and reflect on his sacrifice, not our needs.

Faith believes Jesus conquered death for you and me. I believe.