Precious Memories

The memory of the righteous is a blessing,

                                                                                          Proverbs 10:7

The hymn Precious Memories was written by J. B. F. Wright. As a child I remember hearing my dad listen to Jim Reeves, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and others sing this song on the record player. While in college, at Lubbock Christian, we gave Dr. K. C. Moser an organ when he retired. As he thanked the students in chapel, he stated that when he got it home, Precious Memories would be the first song he played.

 Memories 

What makes them precious? There are memories that some try to wipe out of their head. Those memories are painful and hurt to remember.  But, precious memories are the ones that we want to hold and keep in our hearts.

Memories of Mrs. Ruby

I attended Mrs. Ruby’s funeral on Saturday. My head and my heart were filled precious memories. As she was eulogized, I learned more about her faith. I had witnessed it when she came to work. Mrs. Ruby was the custodian at Parkway where I had been principal. She was a very important part of the Parkway Family.

Everyday when she arrived she would peek her head in my office and speak. She would compliment me on my ties. She would sometimes have a plate of fresh grown and cooked vegetables from her garden. She and Mr. Stovall were proud of their garden. She would ask if I like greens, and I would tell that I loved them and especially if they were already cooked. She would smile. When we had snacks during the day, I always tried to save something for Mrs. Ruby. She would tell me you are so nice. She was so dedicated to her job and I would get so upset when the boy’s bathroom would like a war zone and she would have to do extra work cleaning it. She didn’t complain. I have some precious memories of Mrs. Ruby!

Mrs. Edwards and Ms. Jaime kept telling me that Mrs. Ruby asked about you. Mrs. Ruby said to tell you hello. Right before Christmas, I posted on Facebook, “Will someone please tell Mrs. Ruby I said hello?” Thank you Ms. Jaime for telling her. See, the last time I saw Mrs. Ruby was as she laid in the casket. My memories are more than that viewing, because of the life she lived. I saw her live and practice the talk she would hear on Sunday’s. She walked the talk. She was kind and generous. She tried to do right, therefore her memory is a blessing to me.

Holy, Righteous, and Eternal Father thank you for the blessings that you give us each day. Thank you for the people you put in our lives. LORD, may we not take them for granted. May we be kind and generous to all – building relationships and memories with them. I pray that we lead a life that is righteous so that the memories we leave may be a blessing to others. Father, help us to be obedient to your Word. Thank you for Jesus Christ, the One that makes it possible for us to have a relationship with you, our God. Amen.

Precious Memories

Precious memories, unseen angels,

Sent from somewhere to my soul.

How they linger ever near me,

And the sacred past unfolds.

Precious memories how they linger,

How they ever flood my soul.

In the stillness of the midnight.

Precious sacred scenes unfold.

In the stillness of the midnight,

Echoes from the past I hear.

Old time singing, gladness ringing,

From that lovely land somewhere.

As I travel on life's pathway,

I know not what the years may hold.

As I ponder hope grows fonder,

Precious memories flood my soul.

Steadfast Love

²² The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; 


  his mercies never come to an end; 


²³ they are new every morning; 


  great is your faithfulness. 


²⁴ “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, 


  “therefore I will hope in him.”

                                                 Lamentations 3:22:24

Yesterday, Dr. Ethan Brown, LCU Professor, preached from this text. His message was exceptional and filled with the Holy Spirit. The LORD spoke through him - sharing this passage with the congregation. It was on my mind when I went bed last night and the first thing I thought about this morning when I woke up.

Steadfast, what is steadfast that is in our lives? Our jobs? Our families? Our relationships?

Being a logophile, I looked up the definition and found the following:

stead·fast – [sted-fast, -fahst, -fuhst] 

adjective

1. fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast gaze.

2. firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person: a steadfast friend.

3. unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc.

4. firmly established, as an institution or a state of affairs.

5. firmly fixed in place or position. 

Definition:                  loyal, steady

Synonyms:                  changeless, constant, faithful, fast, firm, true, unmovable, unwavering

Antonyms:                  disloyal, unreliable, untrustworthy

Think about God’s love for us! He is steadfast and His mercies never stop. His love is unwavering, fixed on us, and refreshed daily.

Those poor Dallas Cowboys….is our relationship with them steadfast? There are a few die-hard fans, but most of us get upset and find another “winning” team to support, so our relationship is based on a condition. Thank God, His love is not like that. Even when we mess up, He still loves us.

When the world around us is crashing – His love is steadfast and gives us hope. When disaster hits – His love is steadfast and gives us hope. When we are broken – His love is steadfast and gives us hope. When a relationship goes awry, a job is lost, or someone disappoints us – His love is steadfast and gives us hope.

¹ Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

⁵ Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. 


⁶ The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:1, 5-6

As we start a New Year, 2012, let’s remain steadfast in the fact that God loves us. His love for us will never waiver, and because of that – we have hope for 2012 . 

Be Bless-ed ~ tÍo ween