Bacon and Memories
As I slowly walked up the stairs I could smell it. I knew what it was. I’d been smelling it since my eyes opened in the cozy bed downstairs. It was bacon. Oh, the joy of it! As I approached the kitchen I saw my angelic mother nursing the skillet with care. The sight of my mother at that moment evokes a memory I will always carry with me. They say that of all the senses, smell is the one that can recall a memory the fastest. I believe it. Because there was also my favorite coffee and blueberry pancakes. I can taste them right now. Memories are a beautiful thing. We carry them with us. They can brighten a dull day and just bring a smile to our face just thinking about them. As I scan the room that morning in my mind, I see my Dad at the table with some of the grandkids. He was explaining that you can eat ice cream for breakfast as long as you put fresh peaches on top. That one makes me laugh out loud! Grandparents get away with things parents never could. But it’s also a memory. One I will cherish even greater now that both my parents are with Jesus.
Wow! Face to face with Jesus. I can only imagine what that will be like. I’m so excited! The Lord I have known and served since I was eight will finally be right in front of me. I still remember my mother always saying that she was so looking forward to seeing her Lord. Bless her…she’s with him right now. One day I will get my chance to be with Him, too. But for now, I am here. I am here to make memories with my children and grandchildren like my parents did with me. That means I have to live intentionally in the present. I have to be in the Word. I have to grow spiritually. After all, I have a legacy to leave. What is the greatest thing I can leave my children? Is it wealth, smarts, a bunch of yellowing photo albums (I’m dating myself), or words of wisdom? I don’t think so. As a believer in Jesus Christ, the best thing I can leave my children is Jesus. How do I do that? Can’t they read the Bible for themselves? Since they all have college degrees, I think they are quite capable of doing that. The way I leave them Jesus, though, is by example.
But, wait! I’m a perfectionist. I can’t lead by example, because I am flawed and I fail. I really hate that about myself by the way. But then I read in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” There is redemption in the blood of Jesus. His work on the cross made it possible to be forgiven, thereby, making it possible to lead by example. Praise God that when He looks at me He doesn’t see awful, sinful me. He sees Jesus! This is a load off my heart and my mind that Jesus makes me whole. I am perfect in Him.
Last week my son married the girl of his dreams. Next week is Thanksgiving. All of these life events got me to thinking. Life goes on. I have memories with my parents and now I will make new memories as the seasons change in our family. I use to be scared of change, but now the Lord has taught me to embrace it. Number one, I can’t stop things from changing. Number two, I want to be happy and holy. The only way I know to do that is to go with what each year brings, changes and all. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that “there is an appointed time for everything…a time to give birth and a time to die…a time to weep and a time to laugh…a time to be silent and a time to speak…” So, if all those things are happening, then change is inevitable. I must trust God in every circumstance, the good and the bad.
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[quote bar=”true” align=”center”]Praise God that when He looks at me He doesn’t see awful, sinful me. He sees Jesus![/quote]
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So, going into this Thanksgiving season, I close my eyes and try to recall more memories to savor the moments. I see lots of high chairs and food on the floor from when my siblings and I were populating the earth with babies all at once. I see all the women in the family helping my Mom do the breakfast dishes only to have someone walk in the room and ask, “What’s for lunch?” I see my Dad fixing his trains outside with the little granddaughters because they had the smallest fingers to help put the pieces back on the track. I see golf carts and bonfires and fireworks by the lake. I see the love of family all around the room. Did we always see eye to eye? Of course not. But that’s what makes us a family with memories. We wouldn’t be any good at forgiving if we never had to practice it!
My father always said that life was good because he had a good woman, a good bed, good food and good air. Pretty simple, huh? He had his doctorate, so I figure he knew a thing or two. So, maybe he had it right. Keep it simple. Savor the love of the one God gave you, work hard and enjoy your rest, appreciate God’s bounty and breathe in the fruits of special memories. My parents left a legacy of love and long-lasting marriage. It’s contagious. It makes me want to leave that to my own children. I can do that. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” He didn’t ask me to do it alone. I have help. One of my very favorite verses is Isaiah 41:10, which says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” That is how my parents lived and that is how I will live. I think I’ll go make some bacon.
A. Montgomery