WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY?

How soon do we forget?

Or is it…

How soon do we remember?

Thank yous come, but will they last? 

Keeping our hearts grateful, 

make them blessings of the present,

and the past. 

Anyone else commute a decent distance for work?

I must admit that my traveling to and from school this past year was bittersweet. The “bitter” came from the traffic and the fact that I didn't have as much time to write each morning. The “sweet” was in the fact that this past year was the first time I commuted alone. 

Now don’t get me wrong: I loved the routines and fun activities I did when commuting for years with one or both kids each morning and afternoon. However, car rides always seemed to trigger hunger, and quite honestly, whining and complaining as well. It was during these trips, I used to tell them, “Save your drama for your IIama.” To which they would respond with, “What?! We don’t have a llama.” Exactly! It had always appeared that they saved their drama though for me, their mama, and still do. However, during these times, I am learning to appreciate that. I want them to take their questions and emotions to me as I hopefully continue to teach them to first bring them before God. 

However, that’s a whole other conversation for another day and post (and an important one if I may add).

This one also involves bringing our requests to God while also the significance and importance of remembering. 

It is about what we see and what we can forget so easily.

You see, this year on my commutes, I got to pray and praise a lot more. That was in addition to more reflecting and observing too. One observation came in late May 2022, on a hot and traffic-filled afternoon… I was driving on a relatively busy route with a lot of stores and parking lots. Right in front of me, I saw a car kindly let another one go in front of them. (While I have since forgotten their colors, for the sake of a visual, let’s say the “kind car” was red and the one who easily drove onto the highway was blue.) At that moment, I thought to myself, what a blessing! What a kind gesture because it’s not always easy to get on at this spot!

Fast forward to just two minutes later and a mile up the road, there was sudden breaking, honking and flailing arms. That was then I noticed... 

It was the blue car, the one that had been the recipient of the kind act. It was honking at … you guessed it… THE RED CAR not allowing the red car to get over a lane to where it was trying to exit. 

I thought to myself, but they just helped you! What happened to paying it forward? What are we spreading kindness and appreciation, or negativity and hurry? 

Then, I was convicted to reflect on this judgment and reflection. How many times do I do this too? (Maybe it is not in a car but what about the other areas of life.) Do we get this way with God? Do we think because we don’t see what He is doing, He isn’t working or forget what He has done?

God is working! 

Exclamation mark. Period. Whatever and through whatever… He is working!

God can do something miraculous right now. We must anticipate these miracles. 

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬) 

Our interest must be in God’s Kingdom. So even if we may be pushed to rush and hurry by the world, and even in traffic, when our eyes are on Him and our hearts remain grateful, He guides us to soften. Because God is constantly reminding me to rest in Him, to trust in Him, and to remember. It is my choice to do so though. 

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”

(‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭4:20‬)

Walking in faith is not just a Sunday or one-day-a-week thing. It is an everyday thing. Every day faith…

We can’t be people who give a good talk. We need to be people who walk the faithful walk, or drive. It is living by God’s power, the same power that resurrected Jesus from the grave.

How can we forget about that Truth alone?

That supernatural power. Nothing is impossible for God. Nothing! But we must be mindful to remember or rather, what we remember. 

Radical transitions happen. 

Radical changes happen. 

Cycles break.

The hurry becomes aware and slowed to a rest. 

“But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭106:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

This reminded me also of the Israelites and how they forgot what God had delivered them from and provided for them. He had provided water from a rock when they were thirsty and filled them when they were hungry. And yet when they came to the land of milk or honey, Canaan- they forgot. 

“and did not remember the Lord their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side.” (‭‭Judges‬ ‭8:34‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

God must increase while we represent the Kingdom. We must be humble. It is humbling to know and remember that everything good that has happened to us comes from God, not our own doing. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” (‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:22‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

So The Art of the Messy House Right Here Right Now challenge this week is this: remember. Praise God for what He has done, what He is doing and what He will do. Faith before sight! The perfect way to do this is to keep a prayer and praise journal. Record not only the prayers that come, but also find a place to record the blessings and praise reports. Record the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Record and record because that will help us remember. 

I reflect today: Are we ever like the car who cuts off others because we don’t have time to be present where we are? If so, what are racing to? Yes, on those commutes it may be to get home or to get to work. However, what good can that bring when we miss the moments of grace, mercy and kindness right before us? Are we like the blue car but cutting off God? 

God wants what is best for us. Let’s be open and present to receive it. Let’s be mindful that we are called to walk in love and faith, shining His goodness right here and right now. It starts by knowing Him, and flourishes through it all… by remembering.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬) 

Dear God, 

You are good. You are good all the time. Forgive me when I get caught up in the hurry and forget. I want to remember. I want to walk faithfully in the present and in everything You have for me today. I pray that I slow down enough to see Your blessings and that I remember to always turn to You first in and through all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.