When I was a school girl, I had a fantastic memory. I could memorize poems, speeches, songs, and lists of vocabulary words almost instantly.

I was still pretty good at learning new things in my forties.

Now, I have to go over new material several times. I misplace things.

Not that I put familiar items in weird places. I just can’t remember where I last used my reading glasses. One day my bracelets were bothering me as I played my guitar, so I slipped them off and placed them….somewhere.

Took me weeks to retrace my actions in order to find those darned bracelets. (I’d dropped them into a folder next to the chair where I was practicing guitar. So they be safe!)

Memory is a precious thing. Not only for memorizing lists but for remembering the sweet things my grandchildren say.

Even though I can’t remember stuff the way I used to when I was a young person, I haven’t forgotten the important stuff.

In fact, the important stuff has gotten more entrenched in my memory. The longer I live, the more I recognize and remember God’s faithful protection and care.

• I remember prayers that He’s answered.
• I remember how He protected us from making a decision that could have resulted in catastrophe.
• I remember how he provided unexpected funds when we struggled financially.
• I daily remember the multiple blessings He gives me in a wonderful husband, fantastic children, good friends, a good church, enough food, clean water, shelter, freedom.

Remembering lists is a great thing. But remembering God’s daily blessings helps me live in thankfulness, and the knowledge that I am not alone in any of life’s challenges.

“Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” (Psalm 103:1 NIV Bible)