I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3

Some of the greatest stories we have in life come from memories created by our own experiences. Making positive memories with our children is what they will carry into adulthood. These memories will birth feelings of joy, love and closeness. Memories are the fabric of life and family.

Someone said; “Sometimes small memories cover large parts of our hearts.” Sad to say, some memories you would rather forget. They are too painful to relive. Memories are powerful, thus, it is extremely important to have more good memories than bad.

You want your children to have good memories. It is up to you to create them.

Moments of fun, closeness, laughter, spirituality, and even sharing sorrow together, is what creates memories. There are seven days in a week, with twenty four hours in each day. It is so important to evaluate the amount of time spent with each of your children, and even more important, how you spend time with them.. Unless you grab hold of time, it will quickly vanish and be consumed by mundane tasks, inconsequential activity, and lost opportunity for lasting memories.

You must be thoughtful in how you spend time with your children, and what you desire for them to remember and carry into their future.

The best memories are formed by moments of heartfelt connection with those you love. A child’s healthy and consequential memories are often built on a foundation of love and devoted time together with family. Thus, a parent must devote time to create memories.

Whether it is a simple weekly talk, walk or drive to your child’s favorite candy shop, ice cream parlor, park, toy store, clothing store, library, etc., or an annual vacation with the family, you are creating memories. It is never too late to create moments your children will remember forever. It just takes deliberate and consistent action.

Lori’s Story

I grew up being raised by my sister and brother-in-law from the age of five. My mom died when I was two years of age and my dad passed away when I was eleven. I had also lost my older brother in a car accident when I was eight years old. I was in the car with him when it happened. Needless to say, I had lots of traumatic memories. But these memories did not consume me or define me because they were overtaken by many more good memories and my relationship with the Lord.

Looking back over my life I give thanks for the happy memories created by my sister and brother-in-law. First of all they loved me as their own child, and they spent much time with their two children, who I see as my sisters, and me. Every Sunday we would go to church together and then go out to eat at one of our favorite restaurants. This was a weekly ritual that blessed me tremendously. Not only did this time create a spiritual bond within my family, but it provided an opportunity to talk and relate to something we shared in common, our faith. Of course being able to order anything I wanted at the local restaraunt was an added bonus and cherished memory. Just being together as a family meant the world to me. It brought great security into my life.

Also, every year we went on a family vacation. We visited many places, but most of my memories from these trips are filled with the feeling of closeness as a family. The losses I experienced as a child were healed by the new memories created by my family.

My husband and I have developed the same kind of memories with our children by being deliberate and consistent in making fun and memorable times with them. Going to church weekly, family dinners, vacations and walks to the ice cream parlor, are memories all three of my children cherish. Good memories help mold good character.

BOTTOM LINE:

Memories are powerful and form the fabric of life and family.
You must grab hold of time to create special moments with your children.
It’s up to you as a parent to create good memories.
Good memories help mold good character.

Today’s Prayer: LORD, help me to evaluate the time spent with my children and give me wisdom in creating lasting positive memories with them. Help me to prioritize wisely and not waste time doing inconsequential tasks. May my children’s lives be filled with memories that will help them be spiritually and emotionally healthy people. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!

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