Yesterday Tim was trying to place all of our pictures from my brother's wedding and Erich's graduation on a flash drive to give to my mom, and for about 10 minutes we could not find Erich's graduation pictures ANYWHERE on the computer.

A feeling of panic and sickness went through me as I clicked through various folders, fearing that I had forgotten to download them from my camera before deleting them from my memory card.

Thankfully, we found the pictures safely in a folder under a different name.

This morning, I finally was able to sit down and write for a bit and wanted to share some pictures from yesterday but have found myself searching and searching once again for the memories of yesterday afternoon......so far with no luck.

All of this "memory searching" and fears of erased photos seems to be some kind of little message from God.

The message actually started a few weeks ago when my  my Aunt Earlene visited while on a cross-country road trip.  As she was sharing about some old cemeteries she had visited where her ancestors can be found, I asked if she had taken any pictures and she simply replied, "No, I don't take many pictures."   I've thought about that a lot since she left.  She still has the memories.  She can talk about them vividly and with great expression....without the need for photos.

I think that sometimes I rely too heavily on a photo for a memory, as if I cannot recall a special event without being able to see or share the picture.

In the same way , I often find myself having this same "problem" when it comes to recalling Scripture.  I often rely too heavily on holding a Bible in my hand in order to be able to share and/or remember God's Word.  I have a few key verses that I cling to and pray and reflect on, but I have gotten to a point where adding new Scriptures to my memory banks is not the norm.....

I believe that God longs for us to soak His Words in and literally make them PART of us so that no matter where we are or what we're in the middle of He is with us as well as His promises.

That must be one of the reasons God says to "hide His Word in our heart" not "carry your Bible everywhere you go and refer to it when needed."

For me all of this picture-searching and fear of losing memories has been a wake-up call to several things:

1.  Memories can never be erased from my heart even if the pictures are taken away.

2.  Memories are made every minute of every day, so looking at life as if our eyes are a camera lens can help us see the beauty of even the tiniest special moments even when pictures aren't actually taken.  Right now, I see video game remotes and an electric keyboard at my feet...they remind me of the fun Todd had last night with some guys that came over to hang out.  I see his tux still laying over a chair and that reminds me of the beautiful job the East Carter High School Choir did yesterday at Broadway Christian Church in Lexington, KY.  I see a backpack that is waiting to be packed for Evan's big internship in California (we take him to the Louisville airport in the morning).

3.  BUT MOST OF ALL, I find myself somehow challenged by all of this to renew my passion for hiding God's Word in my heart.  We live in a time in history where memorizing Scripture may be the only way to carry it with us at some point.  Just as I can't always rely on a computer to hold my memories of life, I cannot rely on having a Bible with me in order to remember God's Words.

Have a great day, make lots of good memories, and try to hide a new verse in your heart somewhere along the way!

I'll try to write again later and share some pictures!

PSALM 119:9-16

How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.