Do you often forget to do something you said you would do? I do. All the time, as a matter of fact. Just last week I had forgotten to reorder my dog Penny’s prescription medicine. Luckily, my husband reminded me just in the nick of time and she only missed one dose. Her condition is not life threatening, fortunately, and missing one dose was okay.
Life get’s busy. We all forget and need reminders sometimes. For many of us, those reminders come in the forms of alarms, sticky notes, to do lists, calendars and other people. Even as far back as the 1st century, people forgot things. That’s why it says in the book of Hebrews “do not forget to do good and share with others” as well as “do not forget to entertain strangers”, “remember those in prison”, “remember those who have mistreated you” and “remember your leaders who spoke the work of God to you.” (Hebrews 13, verses 16,2,3 and 7). All these reminders are from just one chapter of just one book of the Bible. Actually, there are a few hundred times the Bible tells us “do not forget” or “remember”.
Often, the things we forget to do are the ones with the least priority. The tasks that are the easiest to accomplish, bringing tangible results quickly, are more often at the top of our to do lists, leaving the boring, mundane and difficult tasks to the end when our energy is spent and our resources are low. At the end of the day we may decide to put these unattended chores off until the next day, then the next and the next after that that. Until, perhaps, it never gets done and we cross it off the list altogether. Take another look at the verses in the previous chapter. What types of things are we being told to not forget? Doing good, sharing with others, entertaining strangers. These are examples of tasks we need to add to our to do list. Besides strangers, who else are we told to remember? Prisoners, people who have wronged us, our leaders. These are examples of people we need to prioritize in our lives. I’m sure for many of us, myself included, these people didn’t even make our list!
Let’s pretend I’m sending out Christmas cards. I know if I was making a list of who to send Christmas cards to it would probably start with Mom and Dad, Grammie, my sister Laurie, my best friend Lisa…..and the list would continue with close friends and relatives and then peter off with those who may have been “after thoughts”. Two thirds through the list my hands are cramped, my good red pen has run out of ink and I’m out of stamps. Those at the bottom of the list will have to wait until next year to get a card! (By the way, I said “let’s pretend”. I don’t usually send out cards so if you are wondering where you fall on my list, you don’t need to worry!) What if I started my Christmas card list with the people who really need to know someone is thinking of them this Christmas season; the ones for whom a Christmas card may be the only gift they receive; the one who may not be on anyone else’s list?
This year, 2020, has been a challenging one for all of us. We have all had to sacrifice seeing friends and family, leaving our homes, perhaps going on vacation. It has been isolating, to say the least. Imagine those people in our communities who were feeling isolated before Covid-19 even began. The loneliness they are experiencing may be excruciating. These people are just some of the ones we need to make a priority right now. Let’s put them at the top of our lists so they are not forgotten. And if you are the one feeling alone and depressed or if you need help in any way, please reach out and I will do my best to help.
Love, Melissa
Today marked the beginning of Advent, a time of expectant waiting for Jesus, a time of hope. With this in mind, the verse I will be meditating on this week is “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in your faith, so that in the power of the Holy Spirit you may be rich in hope.” Romans 15:13.
Melissa Pillone Speaks 