Forgetting What I Once Knew

You may not have this talent, but I easily forget what I’ve read and studied yesterday, much less a focus from decades ago. That’s one reason I can reread a novel repeatedly and feel like, hmmm, I’ve read this before, but I sure don’t remember it very well.

Maybe this is a result of something I prayed years ago, “Lord, help me be a good forgetter!“

I learned something about who I am; this prayer improved me.

It’s easy to hold on to grudges and past mistakes, as easy as it is to hang onto a coin collection I’ve been working on since I was six years old. That’s over 60 years of storing those coins I collected from pocket change and plugged into those blue coin books.

That’s not to say I don’t remember some things very well. What I hang onto seems to be the building blocks of my becoming “me” through the busyness of life.

But this is also my problem. When I research a needed topic, study it, write about it (like now), preach, or even teach, the data I collect becomes part of my body of work. If true, riddle me this. I just opened a blog post from nearly 10 years ago, and I don’t remember writing it, and some of my references are not properly annotated. I asked myself this question: Where did you come up with this? It’s clearly mine, but I don’t remember this at all.

I was at a spiritual conference over 40 years ago. A message shared made a huge impact on my life. Fast forward 30 years, and I’m in another conference, and the same speaker is sharing a thought. Afterward, I asked him about that first life-changing message he delivered. Immediately, he gave me the title, his references, and a gist of the message. [Source] He would be gone in a year, but I learned something about me. I’m nothing like others who have a good storage and recall system.

How did he do that? That’s what I want to know! His mental filing system must be uniquely arranged! Yet, when I play Trivial Pursuit, and if the questions document my learning years, I can slowly pick through my mental cabinets and drawers and pull out the answer if you give me enough time.

We often misquote this scripture reference (even I), but maybe our memories are like our transgressions.

As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
(Psalms 103:12 NKJV)

One writer explains it like this:

God’s mercy is the cause,
the removal of sin [transgressions] the result.
The two are commensurate,
and are “described by the largest measures which the earth can afford.”
[Pulpit Commentary]

But I do remember some of my transgressions. Maybe they are remembered for a reason. Perhaps I recall them at a time of teaching or correction. And maybe the things I don’t remember are forgotten for a reason I’ve not yet discerned. Wait a moment… Just because I take a snippet of instruction from God’s Word does not mean I forget how this book started. Back that puppy up!

A Psalm Of David.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.
(Psalms 103:1-6 NKJV)

Maybe I need to work on my memory recall. Instead of remembering school-age details so quickly found through googling, maybe I need to make my memory banks better and richer with proverbs and lessons that will improve my life.

Homework: Be a good forgeter, but remember the right things much better.

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(Below, you may find other topics similar to this one. Please read on!)