We should always give thanks to the Lord for every gift and blessing that
He has bestowed upon our life. We should also be quick to remember the 
many joys that were experienced throughout our life and give thanks simply
for the ability to be able to remember those blessed times. The Lord whom
we love has given mankind the special ability to recall moments in life 
that happened yesterday as well as decades ago and remembering can be done
in an instant for most people. This is a gift to give thanks for.

I hope you are encouraged by today's message to give thanks for every 
blessing in your life and make an extra effort when the tough times come to
remember every good and perfect gift that you've received throughout your life.


HOW COULD I POSSIBLY FORGET?

I finally found it. It was in a file drawer at the doctor's office.

I thought I lost my mind, but when I stopped by to pick up my MRI's of my
back, the nurse asked me if I needed my brain.

“So, that's where it is!” I said. “I've been looking for it for years now.”

I'm scheduled to see a neurosurgeon in mid-August. Just a follow up to a 
potential back problem my doctor discovered recently. Before I can see the
surgeon I needed to pick up the MRI films. So last night I stopped by to 
get them. I was told to come by in early evening and they would have them ready.

They didn't.

So I sat in the waiting room across from a beautiful elderly woman. She 
had “Barbara Bush hair,” soft, white and full. Her skin was supple and the
lines around her eyes were evidence of difficult times. Perhaps a few from
smiling. But tonight her face showed concern.

I know when God is setting me up. He makes appointments for me to meet 
people who need to talk. He knows I'm a good listener and when prompted I
say what He wants me to say. I have in fact found myself arguing a bit with
Him when He wants me to do or say something I'm not particularly 
comfortable with. But He always wins you know.

“Hello!” I said.

“Good evening to you!” she replied.

“Are you waiting for someone?” I asked.

“Yes, I'm waiting for my husband to have an MRI done,” she said. She never
turned to look at me. She sat with her head down looking at her shoes and
nervously wiggling her feet.

“Oh, I'm here to pick up some films of the one I had done. They tell me 
they have my brain on file. I was looking for it all this time,” I said 
trying to get her to smile. She said nothing.

“You know it's not a difficult procedure. They even let you listen to 
music,” I told her.

“I know. I never had one. But my husband Bill has had a few through the 
years. That's what I'm worried about,” she said.

“Why are you worried?” I asked.

Then picking her head up slightly and looking at me with a side glance she
said, “We've been so healthy until now. We've done so many wonderful things
together. What would we do if we had to stop?” she asked.

“Remember!” I said.

“What?” she asked.

“It's one of the greatest gifts God has given us. The ability to remember
the good times and learn from the bad. We have this massive computer and 
built in Polaroid camera that stores all of those wonderful things for the
times when all we can do is remember,” I said.

“Mr. Perks?” the nurse said from the office window. “Your films are ready.”

I excused myself for a moment as I signed the necessary papers taking 
responsibility for them.

“I included your films of the brain in case the doctor needed them,” she said.

“I need them more than he does. Now I have proof to show my wife I do 
indeed have one.”

Then the grandest idea came to me.

“I don't know if you'll appreciate this or not,” I said to the woman in the
waiting room. “But I want to share my life with you.”

She suddenly picked up her head as if to look at me like I was crazy.

I cleared the table that was in front of us and pulled out the films that
showed my brain.

“Look here, that is where I first told my wife that I loved her. And here,
this is where the sweet smell of my Mom's bread pudding is stored. This off
to the side is the Christmas I spent in New England. Wait, I think this
very spot is when the doctor said ‘It's a boy!’ and my first son said
‘Dada!’” I said holding the film toward the ceiling lights.

She sat there quietly not saying a word. I continued.

“Stored within this mass is everything I ever did, said, smelled, tasted 
and saw. There are hundreds of rainbows. Thousands of flowers, a million 
laughs and yes, more tears than I can count. But when ever I need to, I 
can recall it and for that moment experience it again. The magic of it all
is that sometimes I don't even have to try. I get a whiff of pine tree and
a dozen Christmases come rushing in. I can see my father's face and every
one of my relatives both past and present,” I said. “I'll also one day 
remember meeting you!”

She sat up and turning toward me she said “Thank you! You are right. I 
really needed to hear that.”

I said, “I know. That's why I was here.”

Then the door opened wide and this sprite old gentleman came dancing out.

“Honey. Great news. I'm having twins!” he shouted.

Everyone laughed, including his wife.

“Now let's go home and get packing,” he said “Don't forget we're visiting
the kids tomorrow. Remember?”

She shook her head and looked back at me and said, “Remember? How could I
possibly forget?”

Author Unknown


When problems come your way trying to discourage your heart, be encouraged
to sit back and remember the blessed times of your life and know that if 
God was with you then, than He is sure to be with you in this present time
as well. Rejoice in your memories and stand firm in your walk with the 
Lord knowing that He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Psalm 103:1-5 “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless
His Holy Name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who 
redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness
and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy
youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Jeremiah 31:3 “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have
loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I
drawn thee.”

Psalm 8:3-6 “When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon
and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou art mindful
of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him
a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast 
put all things under his feet.”

Psalm 37:23-26 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He
delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand. I have been young, and now am 
old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging 
bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.


Today’s Selected Poem: IN HIS HANDS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem159.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: GOD'S ALIVE AND WELL
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony34.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry