Being reminded of others and being remembered is indicative of something significant having happened in the crossing of pathways between the lives of one another. This can be either a negative or a positive remembrance. But how special when it is on the positive side; even being remembered for things perhaps we had not seen as being as deeply significant as another individual we had touched.
This morning I read an e-mail that was sent late last evening to those of us who belong to our local symphony orchestra. The e-mail mentioned two founding members of this group who have now retired from the orchestra of which I also have enjoyed being a part of since it was founded in 1987. I have many good memories of these two players not only in performing together, but also in what they contributed over the years as board members and other supports aiding in the forward movement of this organization. Even their spouses are a part of those memories. I am thankful for encouragement I received from them and the many good memories I will always have or our time shared together.
This past Sunday morning, someone dropped by the church building prior to the beginning of our Bible study. He said I might not remember him, but he would never forget when I came to his home in the middle of the night many years ago when his wife had suddenly died. I soon did recall the time and also that he had connected with me a few years ago in a grocery store aisle and thanked me at that time also. He stopped this past Sunday to make a contribution to the church in memory of his wife and to thank me again and gave me a big hug. Someone who was with him quietly told me they had heard the story again and again and that I had made a great impact on him. I invited him to come join us, and I pray he will someday. The thing is, as we genuinely be who we are and do what we can in our day-to-day interactions with others, there is potential to impact in ways we may at times never come to know. The story has not yet been completely written, and I am hopeful for further connection with this man.
In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he stated. . .
“(3) I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. (4) As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.” (2 Timothy 1:3-4 ESV)
Besides the other encouraging things Paul wrote, to note the specialness of the relationship was surely an encouragement to Timothy.
And in writing to Philemon, Paul expressed. . .
“(4) I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, (5) because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, (6) and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. (7) For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” (Philemon 4-7 ESV)
Now, though this would seem to have laid a good foundation for what Paul went on to request of Philemon, this still sincerely spoke to the preciousness of the relationship.
Besides being encouraged by such remembrance, let us also remember the One Who is fully mindful of all going on in us and around us. As the writer of Hebrews encouraged Christians going through trying times, he encouraged. . .
“ (10) For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” (Hebrews 6:10 ESV)
Have a great day NOT UNDERESTIMATING THE POTENTIAL OF OUR DAY-TO-DAY ENCOUNTERS!
Carl
