This was the first holiday season of my life where I finally understood people going through tough times when it is supposed to be “happy, merry, and bright.” From Thanksgiving evening until December 30th – we experienced a rapid decline in my father’s health until his ultimate passing.
To pass the time one day sitting in a nursing home room while he slept – I started scrolling through my phone photos. I was curious about all that has gone on the past year, and looking to delete some of the excess (especially dog pictures). Unexpectedly, I then discovered the power of reflection. The last year had so many incredible things happen as I swiped from picture to picture. My daughter’s wedding. My son’s engagement. Trips to Colorado and New York City. Gatherings with family and friends. Babies and toddlers. My first Texas Ranger game at the “new” ballpark. Wonderful restaurants. Unexpected employment. And lots of dogs.
I was letting one dark month and a half represent the entire year. Try it! Scroll through your photos and see how quickly your mood can change. Take a look at the people, places, and events you forgot about. A great reminder of how far you’ve come and the goals you’ve met. The joy of the simplistic – a meal, a park, a sunrise or sunset. And of course, any pictures of dogs.
It is so easy to forget the goodness, faithfulness, and provision of God. Our culture is raging with a “What have you done for me lately?” mentality. Prime deliveries. Instant download. Streaming right now. Fed Ex isn’t fast enough anymore. Don’t even think about using the Postal Service . . .
I recently heard a message on Nehemiah. He was a faithful servant to the king of Persia around 423 B.C. Back in a rebuilt Jerusalem, he was leading the people he governed over with a prayer reflecting on the faithfulness of God through the ages regarding the nation of Israel. Specifically, how God freed them from hundreds of years of cruel slavery in Egypt. Here are some examples from Nehemiah Chapter 9:
You saw the misery of our ancestors in Egypt (v.9).
You heard their cries from beside the Red Sea (v. 9).
You divided the sea for your people so they could walk through on dry land! (v. 11)
And then you hurled their enemies into the depths of the sea (v.11).
You led our ancestors by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night (v.12).
You came down at Mount Sinai and spoke to them from heaven (v.13).
You gave them bread from heaven when they were hungry and water from the rock when they were thirsty (v.15).
You commanded them to go and take possession of the land you had sworn to give them (v.15).
For 40 years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing (v. 21).
Can you imagine what scrolling through this photo roll would look like???
The Red Sea parting and closing. Pillars of cloud and fire. Food from Heaven. Water from a rock.
And just like that, they forgot. Short-term memory can get the best of us.
Nehemiah continues in verse 16:
But our ancestors were proud and stubborn, and they paid no attention to your commands. They refused to obey and did not REMEMBER the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt.
Go back to slavery in Egypt??? But let’s face it – we can easily do the same thing. Proud . . . stubborn . . . refusing God’s ways . . . and not remembering all He has done for us this year and every one before it.
However, Nehemiah summarizes the goodness of God in spite of how the people acted . . .
But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness . . . The pillar of cloud still led them . . . and the pillar of fire showed them the way . . . You sent your good Spirit . . . and you did not stop giving them manna from heaven or water for their thirst . . . (Nehemiah 9: 19,20).
What would it look like to make it a habit this year of scrolling through your photos each month as a positive way to reflect and remember? What about blocking in time to sit still without a device? Be bored and let your mind wander. Explore where your creativity can take you without using artificial intelligence. And clinging to our God who doesn’t treat us as we deserve:
If we die with him, we will also live with him.
If we endure hardship, we will reign with him.
If we deny him, he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is (2 Timothy 2: 11-13).
Blessings,
Dave 🙂
David Rische 