Remember What Matters
“What did we do yesterday?” my brother asked.
“We . . . hmmm . . .”
Think. Think. Think.
I knew we had done something. It had been fun. Interesting. Memorable, even.
So why couldn’t I remember it?
I had spent the week with my brother, his wife, and their toddler in Costa Rica, and the previous few days had been packed with all kinds of new experiences:
Sloths just hanging out in the trees above us
New foods, like patacones (mmmm!) and lychee fruit
The call of howler monkeys waking up with the sun
Attempting to learn how to surf
We had packed a lot into our time there, so why couldn’t I remember what we had done the day before?
Please tell me I am not the only one who forgets things now and then.
Not just everyday things, like where I put my keys, but good things. Because I knew it had been good. I was sure of that.
So what was it?
The truth is, it was probably because we had packed so much into the previous day that I had a hard time remembering.
The same thing happens when we get busy.
Or bored.
The days blend together, and we move on.
We forget.
And often, it is the good stuff that fades first. Our minds tend to hold tightly to pain, fear, and embarrassment because those memories help us avoid danger or discomfort in the future. But ordinary joy? Small gifts? Evidence of God’s kindness?
Those can slip by if we are not paying attention.
The problem with forgetting the good stuff is that our lives are shaped by our stories — our experiences and what we choose to take from them.
But only if we remember what matters.
That is why, in Exodus 13, Moses tells the Israelites, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place.”
You would think that day would have been pretty memorable.
But it did not take long for the people to forget what God had done for them. Within days, they were questioning God’s power and love. In the urgency and upheaval of the days ahead, they forgot to remember.
And their forgetfulness weakened their confidence and impeded their faith.
When we look back and remember what God has done in our lives, we strengthen our faith muscles. We learn to trust God because we remember His past faithfulness.
In the same way, when we remember what we have learned, how we have grown, how we have survived every challenge we've faced so far in life, our self-confidence grows. The next challenge becomes a little less daunting.
Forgetting is easy.
Remembering takes intentionality.
So how do we remember what matters? Here are a few things that help me:
Take pictures — and then look at your pictures.
Remember scrapbooks? Yours might be digital these days, but there is nothing like a visual reminder to help you recover the details of a meaningful moment.
Write it down.
Whether it is in a journal, a notebook, or the notes app on your phone, take time to record what matters.
Share your stories with others.
Telling your stories helps you remember them. And the lessons you have learned may become a blessing — or a cautionary tale! — for someone else.
Practice gratitude.
Thank God for the people and experiences He provides. Thank others for the joy they bring into your life. Do not let the good moments simply pass by. Acknowledge them as a way of giving them weight in your memory.
Story Practice
Over the next few days, write about a few moments that have shaped you in a good way:
A memory from childhood
A faith encounter
An experience from the past week
And remember, even bad days and hard experiences can become good stories with powerful lessons.
Have a story you want to share? I would love to hear it.
Behind the Pages
This week, I’m celebrating the wrap-up of one ghostwriting project, starting a new one, and cheering on several books in progress—including two devotionals, three children’s books, and a few coaching clients’ manuscripts.
I’ve also had fun judging a few entries for the ACFW KidLit contest and working toward a deadline of my own: finishing the final two scenes of my novel before ACFW.
And in a sweet full-circle moment, this week marks four years since I launched A TITANIC Adventure.
Let's Connect
ACFW Conference, Memphis, Tennessee, August 27–29
I will be attending and would love to connect if you will be there.
ACFW, The Woodlands, September 19
I will be speaking on publishing options for writers.
Texas Christian Writers’ Conference, March 22–25, 2027
Early Bird registration is open now! Join me at the Texas Christian Writers’ Conference for a practical, encouraging gathering for Christian writers. Learn more at TexasChristianWriters.com.
