There's often a need to hold on to these things that don't really serve a current purpose, but they are soaked in memories and feelings. Some things were easy to purge--the feelings and memories weren't kind. Some things were harder to purge--the feelings and memories brought warmth and longing for days gone by.
I came across a box of papers/letters and books. I found a small piece of notebook paper dated July 21, 2001. This was a Saturday. The location was A Place for the Heart in Sophia, North Carolina. This was the ending to the very first ever worship camp held by Jonathan and Melissa Helser. My sister and I were so lucky to attend. I believe that Saturday was the last night of the camp. We had a dinner together--campers and staff. At the end, we presented each other with gifts/drawings/writings that we had asked the Lord for (like a secret Santa...only much better). The leaders of the camp prayed over all of us.
The paper I found has the words from the Lord written on them.
I am always longing to hold on to the things the Lord has spoken. To remember the words that never die...always giving life.
In Psalm 105 and 111 David tells us that the Lord remembers his covenant forever (v. 8 and v. 5, respectively).
It's a funny thing to remind the Lord of something...as if He could actually forget.
We remind the Lord of things because we are really reminding ourselves. We are building our faith and hope. We are reminding our souls that the Lord is faithful. That He is patient. That He is everlasting. That His words cannot return to Him void.
These words I found on an almost 16 year old piece of paper remind me of the words He has spoken to me. These are words that have been confirmed many times in 16 years but not yet seen to full fruition. They are beautiful reminders that what He promised He will do.
When I find myself in a dark season, a wilderness, a trying time, these words are life. They are water in a dry land. These words I hold in my heart and speak to the Lord.
"Remember You said....."
These are words I thought were forgotten. But they have been found. I have been found. I stand in faith with renewed hope reminding myself of His promises and reminding Him of what He said.
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
11
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:10-11
