One elderly couple was having difficulty remembering things, so they explained to their doctor the problems they were having with their memory. After checking the couple out, the doctor told them that they were physically okay, but that they might want to start writing things down and make notes to help them remember things. The couple thanked the doctor and left.
Later that night while watching TV, the old man got up from his chair and his wife asked, "Where are you going?" He replied, "To the kitchen." She asked, "Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?" He answered, "Sure."
Remembering their doctor’s advice, she asked him, "Don’t you think you should write it down so you can remember it?" He thought a moment, and then said, "No, I can remember that."
Then she said, "Well I also would like some strawberries on top. You had better write that down 'cause I know you’ll forget that." He said, "I can remember that—you want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries."
She replied, "Oh, and add a little chocolate syrup. I know you will forget that so you better write it down." With irritation in his voice, he said, "I don’t need to write that down—I can remember that!" He then stomped into the kitchen.
After about twenty minutes he returned from the kitchen and handed her a plate of bacon and eggs.
She stared at the plate for a moment and said, "I knew you were going to forget! You forgot my toast."
It seems that I am getting more and more like this couple every day! Perhaps you can identify with them as well. But there’s something much more important to remember other than a bowl of ice cream with strawberries and chocolate syrup.
It’s your relationship to your Lord and your church.
Especially in the summertime, it’s easy to forget that the ministries of your church continue non-stop. It’s easy to forget that we continue to have services on Sunday and Wednesday evenings. It’s easy to forget that there are financial needs that continue during the summer months. It’s easy to forget that our relationships with Jesus need to be nurtured and cared for in
July and August just as they do around Christmas and Easter.
Take the advice of the doctor if you need to, and write this down. But whatever it takes, remember that neither the Lord—nor your church—goes on vacation during the summer. You are needed just as much now as ever. Make this summer count for the Lord, so that at the end of August, you will be even closer to Him than you are right now.
--Rocky Henriques, www.uticabc.com