Do you have a favorite childhood memory? Perhaps you have one specific memory or maybe
you have several. Recalling a favorite memory from childhood can be a great blessing. It can
warm our hearts and bring us cheer, when the pressures of life weigh too heavily upon us.
This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.
I, like perhaps many people, have more than one favorite childhood memory. But, the first one that comes to mind are the Sunday dinners that we had with my maternal grandparents. There was always plenty of good home-cooked food, laughter and fun. My grandmother had the gift of hospitality and grandpa was a practical joker.
There were also vacations and trips to Disneyland. Summers spent at the beach and birthday
parties. School field trips, summer camp and Girl Scout’s activities.
However, the childhood memory that I am most grateful for isn’t one specific event, but rather the security of knowing that I was wanted and loved by my father and mother. My parents cared for my brothers and I at great personal sacrifice. Today they are both in their 80’s and I am deeply indebted to them for giving me a lifetime of love and support.
Most people probably have a favorite childhood memory, perhaps indelibly etched in their
minds; while others may struggle to remember a favorite childhood memory.
Recalling a favorite childhood memory can be fun. A good childhood can provide a rich
storehouse of memories to withdraw from and replay to bring us joy. But, for some people trying to remember a favorite childhood memory can be a painful process.
Childhood should be a time of innocence. We are born dependent on others for survival, wide eyed with wonder, trusting and unwearied.
However, no childhood is perfect, because even those with an ideal childhood still had imperfect parents and families, even though well meaning.
If we’ve had a good childhood and can recall a favorite memory, then we should praise the Lord and give Him thanks. It is right to remember His goodness to us.
"I remember the days long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.” (Psalm 143:5 NIV)
But, for those who didn’t have a good childhood and can’t remember a favorite childhood
memory; please know that as believers in Christ, we have a perfect heavenly Father, whose love for us is constant.
He planned for each one of us to be born and live, and we are very much wanted by Him. We can let God’s truth heal painful memories, and minister to our hearts, minds and souls.
Psalm 139:13-16 says, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” (NLT)
We don’t want to let the pain of a childhood memory keep us stuck and steal our joy. It’s better to work towards forgiving those who have caused us pain, than to remain bitter about a painful past. The past shouldn’t defeat or define us; because as believers, our identity and worth should be found in Christ.
As Christians, we are God’s children and He can redeem painful pasts and give us purposeful futures. He can give us a life of meaning, and make everything new.
John 1:12 says, “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” (NLT)
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” (NLT)
Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (NIV)
We can remember and give thanks for favorite childhood memories, and those with difficult
childhoods, should seek God’s help to forgive others and to heal (Psalm 34:18). We forgive
because we have been forgiven by God through Christ. In addition, forgiving others, is a gift we give to ourselves, because it sets us free from harboring negative and harmful feelings.
Most of all, we can strive to live in the present with gratitude, knowing that our identity, worth and value are found in Christ alone; and we can look forward to the future that God has prepared for us.
Please comment below and answer: What is your favorite childhood memory?
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