Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.  Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.  Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, O descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.

1 Chronicles 16:8-13

Barbra Streisand sang one of my favorites long ago . . .

Memories light the corners of my mind . . .

She sings on . . .

Memories may be beautiful and yet

What’s too painful to remember we simply choose to forget

So it’s the laughter we will remember

whenever we remember the way we were. 

Some memories we’d like to forget.  But we can’t.  I don’t even think we should.  Speaking for myself, it’s the memories of my hardest times that help me worship God the most.  I look back over the landscape of my life with a broad perspective and see how God has never, ever failed to deliver me. All those times I thought I’d be crushed under the weight of things too heavy for me, I prayed without knowing how God would work certain things out.  Certain things take nothing short of a miracle . . .

I have many memories of many miracles in this one single life.  Our God is faithful and loving, wanting no one to perish.  Our God is mighty and sovereign, using all for good, his way, which is always the best way.

So this Memorial Day, I remember with thanks the men and women who have laid down their lives so I can have freedom.  More, I remember every day is a memorial day to give thanks to our great God who laid down his life so all humankind can have ultimate freedom.

His mercies are new every morning.

Great is his faithfulness.

Remember . . .

and praise his holy name, today and every day.

(So blessed to have a pair of bald eagles nesting near us, year after year!  I see this one often and sometimes even see the pair roosting together here.)