Thursday, May 16, 2013

"Lemony, Sugary Goodness - and Gratitude" 

    One of my fondest childhood memories involves my grandfather making lemonade at the end of each summer day.  We drank a glass (or maybe two!) with my grandmother on the front porch of their farmhouse while watching the sun go down.   

I thought of this yesterday while myself making lemonade for our family.  I still enjoy a glass myself, of course, but the greater joy involves the pleasure our youngest daughter Emmie derives from the concoction (other members of our family don't seem to have the same family predilection to lemonade, although Frances does also like it).  Emmie loves it like I do, and has often heard me share the memory chronicled above (which, being herself nostalgic, adds for her an extra bit of lemony, sugary goodness, I think).   

At 56, I suspect I've reached the crest of the hill and am now on my earthly life's other side (I've never had the desire or the notion that I would live past the more than 112 years that would indicate I'm still heading up the hill).  Thus, many of the blessings of God I will experience in this life are memories rather than expectations.  I have no problem with this, being, like Emmie, a very nostalgic person.  This is especially true because I have so many opportunities to communicate my remembrances in spoken and written form.  In so doing, I almost feel like I'm reliving God's blessings, feeling yet again the enjoyment of His good gifts of people, places, experiences, and events.  "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Thy works; I muse on the work of Thy hands"(Psalm 143:5).   
I share this with you to encourage such remembrance and reliving of God's generosity as revealed in your own life.  You may or may not be nostalgic, but you don't have to be in order to know the blessedness of remembering "the days of old."  As we have often considered together in recent years, memories provide opportunities for thanksgiving.  Indeed, when recalling my grandfather's lemonade, I said "Thank You" once again to the Lord who provided such a blessing to a child who would not come to know Him for many years after the last sip, the last sundown, and the last afternoon with my grandparents.  I didn't know to thank God then, but I do now, and the remembrance forms an altar in my heart whereupon I can presently lay an offering of gratitude.  Doing so completes the circle of giving, receiving, and gratitude that causes blessings to be fully experienced, enjoyed, and glorifying to the sublime Giver of "every good gift and every perfect gift" (James 1:17).  Yes, I can almost still taste my grandfather's lemonade.  The goodness that provided such a gift, however, well, I don't have to almost savor that..."O taste and see that the Lord is good!  Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."(Psalm 34:8)   

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