Memories

You never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory
                                           - Unknown 

I have many memories of my childhood. From going to never-ending softball games to water-coloring with my Grandpa in his dining room. I have memories of going on vacation with my family, but the memories I have only highlight certain areas of the vacations... Like seeing a wild bear!

I never knew the value of those moments then, but now I realize how simply sweet they really are.

We all have those kinds of memories, but we also have bad memories that we would probably rather forget... I'm realizing that all the bad things that happened during my childhood, not all of them stay within my memory. Why?

Because we simply don't need some of them, so we forget them. Not on purpose, just over time we forget.
The memories are still there, but not within our remembering. But then, I have also realized that the perfect time they are usually brought back to the surface.

Maybe we are trying to help a friend with something and all of the sudden God brings back a memory that you had forgotten, and it totally relates! God does use everything you experience.

Your memories are stories and lessons. 

In the Bible, Jesus spoke in parables. Parables are stories, but with lessons weaved in. As a Christian, God gives you all your memories at the right time and then you are able to tell them your story and what you learned from it.

Your memories, good and bad, have meaning and aren't in your life by a mistake. 

Some of your memories are meant just for you. Whether they were a lesson personally for you, or just a sweet memory that God has given you to keep and not share. There are also memories that God gives you to share with others so that others may benefit from them.

I don't know about you, but I learn a life lesson best when I hear a story. I think a lot of people learn that way. That is probably part of the reason that Jesus always taught in parables.

I'm not saying share all your memories that you can possibly think of of. I am saying, listen to God and see which memories that God wants you to share. Some of the memories you have, you won't share. That's because God gave you those sweet, simple memories for you and not for others. There are other memories that God wants you to share so that others can be encouraged and learn from them.

The first quote at the top of this post is one of my favorite.
You never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. - Unknown

Love it.

You never know. You might think that your life is dull and boring and never filled with anything but boring things, but then you will look back one day and remember the small things and realize that those are the big things. Those are memories. 

God has a way of using the smallest, unwanted things and making them beautiful memories. He has a way of using even the least of people and using them to do big things. God does that. Never give up hope.

God will use you too, if you let him. The question is, "Will you let God use you?"