Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine…did it take your mind to a place or your heart to a feeling? A memory moment. The dictionary defines memory as “the mental capacity of retaining and reviving facts, events, impressions, etc., or of recalling or recognizing previous experiences”. We make memories through our senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) and it’s through those same senses that we “trigger” these memories. Information flows from the outside world through our senses. Memory is simply ways we store and recall things we’ve sensed. It is God’s design. James M. Barrie said, “God gave us memories so we could have roses in December”.
I have watched and listened to the many memory moments over the year, each one bringing up memories of my own experience here at Paw Creek.
I have thought a lot about what I would say today. Which memory should I share? These memories make up my story – the story that was foretold before my birth.
When I began church here at 6 years old, Mr. Curlee was my principal and was also in the congregation each Sunday. What an impression that made. Blessed Assurance.
As a teen I was in youth group. Kathy, Sam, Ken, Sharon, Chris, Danny, Libby, Suzette, Jeff and many others who listened, loved and supported me and kept my secrets. Blessed Assurance.
As I finished college the only job I could find was in Manning, SC, which was near Sumter, SC. I was able to live near Jeff & Libby Aiken and see them each Sunday, and to have their support throughout my stay there. Blessed Assurance.
As I moved back to Charlotte, the situation in education for hiring teachers was much like it is now but thanks to Jane Scott, I got an interview…that’s all I needed…a step up. Blessed Assurance.
When Clint and I lost our first baby, the outpouring of notes, letters and cards from almost every woman in this church who had survived the same experience themselves assured me that I would too. Blessed Assurance.
I could go on and on…relationships…with all of you…never accidental…planned by our heavenly father for a purpose…Blessed Assurance that he is alive and knows we each need to be able to see, hear, touch, taste and smell him working in our lives.
John 15:12 – “I demand that you love each other.”
John 15:17-18 – “I demand that you love each other for you get enough hate in the world.”
Mark 12:31 – “You must love others as much as you love yourselves.”
Christians are supposed to love each other and it is easy because we are not really of this world. We have supernatural power in Christ to complete the task.
When I think about my church family I think about the Verizon commercials…a huge network that is behind you, supporting you wherever you go, whatever you need, sometimes before you know you need it, that was placed there by God to continue his work here in this place. Each of you has a place in the lives of each of us. It is God’s design. I love that this church has always been about serving God, caring, service, and support. Maybe we should make our own commercial: Paw Creek where there is love, care and support 24/7 no questions asked.
A quote by Wilber D. Nesbit says it best: “All to myself I think of you, think of the things you used to do, think of the things we used to say, think of each happy bygone day, sometimes I sigh and sometimes I smile but I keep each olden golden while…all to myself”.
Blessed assurance Jesus is mine…this is our story…
