Sanctified Memories

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases."

~Psalm103:2,3

Dear Son,
Can you believe it's already been two years ago today since God preserved your sight?
How little did we know that a silent but raging sinus infection was working its way to your eye socket.

Your symptoms turned so quickly, puzzling even the doctors. "It's just a little eye infection," they said.  And, I remember hearing your concerns about losing your eyesight. I actually chuckled inside, thinking your fears were just the workings of a very adventurous mind.

But not even 24 hours later, your Daddy was driving you to the hospital, and praise the Lord, the next day the surgeon was using her God-directed hands to save your eye.

What a week that was, and the transformation from a swollen-eyed, very sick little boy to an energetic lad craving tacos was a blessing. Your Daddy was with you that entire time, and you enjoyed movies together and sausage biscuits in between antibiotics, nose sprays, and needle sticks.

The world wants to forget the bad things, the trials, their suffering. But we belong to Jesus.  And we MUST remember. We must remember the trials and His deliverances.

These trials strengthen our faith, make us more like Christ, encourage other Pilgrims in the fire. Your suffering testifies to the GREATNESS of our God. There is none like Him. 

This is one more Ebenezer to add to the rock pile. When you were born, there was your stay in the intensive care unit. God healed you and brought you home quickly. Then, you sliced your finger with your brother's throwing knife, learning that curiosity is sometimes painful, while we were thanking God you didn't lose your finger.

One memory added to another. And they all become sanctified.   They're set apart from the others. They remind us how small we are and how great God is.  They shout of a faithful God to His unfaithful people. They become pillars of praise and thanksgiving. 

When you look in the mirror and see two healthy eyes staring back at you, remember first that you've been redeemed. God gave you eyes to see the truth of the Gospel. You're a sinner saved by grace. You were blind but now you see. 

When you look up at blue skies, or colorful legos in a bin, speckled lizards, or orange balloons, praise God for what He has done for you. Let the sights of the world around you remind you of God's mercy upon you!

When you think of past afflictions, remember that because sin entered the world, so did sickness. Then remember to praise God that He didn't leave us dead in our sins, but sent Jesus to die for us and pay our debt that we might glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Don't waste these memories, but continually ask God to bless you with eyes that are ever searching out His mercies, storing them up in your heart and mind. Ask Him to make you a man known for remembering and praising and walking faithfully in His ways all the days of your life.

I  love you.

Love,
Mommy