If you came over from Encouragement for Today, welcome! Today I shared one of our family’s private battles, and that’s with my sweet guy’s dad. We love him so much.
All this month we’ve talked about living fully, and Alzheimers disease is teaching us a lot about this subject. Check out the devo and let’s take it deeper here. ~ Suzie
I don’t remember
That’s a phrase we hear often from my father-in-law. Sometimes he acts ornery, or even silly about it. He doesn’t remember, and it’s hard. His silliness is a cover up. We all know it, and we wish it was different for him.
My father-in-law’s battle with Alzheimers disease is teaching us the power of remembering.
You see, sometimes I pick and choose what to remember.
I may remember everything that a person does wrong, but conveniently forget that time I made the same mistake and found mercy.
I might remember a rocky road to progress, and forget that failure is part of learning.
I hyper focus on last month’s tight budget, and forget how God has come through time after time.
If he could, my father-in-law would tell us that remembering the good is important.
Not too long ago he looked over at his wife of almost 60 years, and said, “Are you my sister?”
“No, I’m your wife.”
He grinned. “Really?” He looked at her closer. “Wow, I did good!”
I want to remember to tell Richard that I did well when I chose to walk down the aisle with him. I want to remember that friendships are worth working through conflict. I want to remember that I’ll never achieve a dream if I’m not willing to take a risk.
I want to remember that spending time with family is a beautiful gift.
[ctt template=”4″ link=”EC1S0″ via=”yes” ]What we choose to remember is important. What we choose to forget is just as key. @suzanneeller[/ctt]
Just as important, I want to forget or let go of those things that consume too much head space with too little fruit to show for it.
We don’t have forever . . . well, I take that back. We do have forever. ♥ I just don’t want to make it to eternity and regret that I spent my years here on earth remembering all the wrong things.
Suzie
Does prayer seem complicated to you?
As I walked with Jesus in my “Come With Me” journey, I realized just how personal and simple prayer really is.
I also rediscovered how powerful it is.
I’m so excited about the first #ComeWithMe 21-Day Challenge: 21 Days to Revolutionary Prayer.
This is the first in 13 series over the next year. The goal is to help each of us step deeper into faith, and for our faith to impact the world around us.
All you have to do to be a part is to subscribe to this blog.
To celebrate today’s Encouragement for Today devo and the new 21 Day Challenge series, I’m giving away two copies of Come With Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Where He Leads.
If you haven’t read this life changing book yet, here’s a link to a free chapter.
If you are already subscribed, share a comment below and you’ll be entered in the giveaway. If you haven’t subscribed, and you do, share that in the comments and you’ll be entered!
Regardless of whether you win a book, my heart is to stand shoulder to shoulder with women of faith all over the nation who desire to take their faith deeper, and to impact a world because of it.
~ Suzie
Today’s blog about remembering was such a timely and convicting reminder that I way too often waste time remembering the bad, sad or hurtful and WAY WAY too often allow it to blot out and nullify the good. I thoroughly enjoyed Come With Me, yet I think I may need to read it again, slower and lean in deeper to what the Lord is trying to show me. Thank you for sharing your journey.
I have subscribed. Enjoyed your devotion and look forward to reading your book if I win. Thanks.
Looking forward to the devotional series!
I just subscribed! Hoping I win the book now too!
Thank you for pointing out to the right perspective. I’ve been in a hard (dessert-like seasons) for a couple of years now and I Just feel exhausted. Of course I wish it away quite often and long for the ”green pastures”, but thank you for a reminder to not wish away even these seasons.
Looking forward to the challenge and would love to read the book too.
I meant ”desert like season”- not dessert- oh the wishful thinking 🙂
I have subscribed. Thank you for this opportunity. I really appreciate you sharing details from your life to help us gain perspective on this.
Beautiful devotion today. I enjoy your writing! I have subscribed and would love to win.
I am a new subscriber…would love to win a copy of your book!
Guilty! And so convicted this morning Suzie! I don’t want to wish another moment away by keeping my focus on the future. Thank you for such a beautiful reminder. And thank you for sharing the first chapter here, I will enjoy it while looking forward to reading the rest! 😘
Enjoyed today’so devotional. What a powerful reminder.
Just subscribed… thanks so much!
I subscribed to the blog and hope to win the book.
This is just what I needed to hear this morning! Thank you!
Thank you for your devotional! Lots of things to think about. Just subscribed to your blog! Have a great week!
Every day is a gift from God no matter what the circumstances. I totally loved this devotion. What I choose to remember is so important to my perspective of each day.. Thank you for sharing this. I would love to read the book!!
My dad turned 90 yesterday. Our family celebration is now a precious memory. One of those days you want to hold onto forever.
I subscribed! I am so guilty of this…. Life goes by so fast! This is a good reminder to slow down and enjoy each day, not “get through it”. Looking forward to reading this book! Hope to win it!
New subscriber 🙂 I’ve never been a consistent pray-er, even though I can think of several times when God made His presence so obvious to me after I had asked Him to tell me what to do.
I SO needed this today! I often hurry through life wishing seasons and times away and God is convicting my heart to slow down and enjoy and make memories. Would love to read your book!
The. Perfect. Timing. Of. This. Post!
I am on my way this morning to visit my mother who is in an assisted living facility. Alzheimer’s has claimed her memories as well. 🙁 I will go today knowing that the Lord is with me – helping me to remember the amazing memories my Mom made just for me.
I would love to win a copy of Come With Me. Thank you for such a generous giveaway.
I just subscribed to this blog, I really needed to find this devotion this morning! Thank you Proverbs 31 ministry!
Today’s devotion is so important but sometimes so hard. Thank you for this reminder.
I’m in a hard place in my
Marriage. As much as I would like things to poof change like magic I
Am
Choosing to focus on lessons I will learn and that this wl eventually be for our good and His glory!
I am also losing my father a bit by bit each day to Alzheimer’s. Your word today is a blessing. I, too, want to remember the good things. Looking for award to your study on prayer.
New subscriber. Looking forward to the series.
New subscriber
So looking forward to reading your book and absorbing your words of inspiration.
This is such an important and timely devotion. My mom succumbed to the ravages of Alzheimers at age 90 just this August. So, this devotion about remembering, remembering the good times and remembering the tough times is so touching and a testament to the comfort of our Lord.
Today’s devo was so good. Thanks Suzi for sharing! I enjoy reading your blog posts, and look forward to reading your book!
Your story on the email I got this morning was just what I needed. Thank you for sharing and encouraging. I subscribed to your blog and look forward to reading more. Having a hard time feeling settled and am working hard at seeing the good during this waiting season when things that seemed to be steamrolling in a good direction have halted for the moment.
I just subscribed! I’m looking forward to the #Comewithme challenge… And I hope I win! 🙂
I love this devotion today, and serves as a reminder to just remember. Remember God’s past faithfulness, especially during present hardships and trials. Remember where and what God delivered us from when He reached down and saved our souls – for that was a miracle in itself. Lord, I ask that you help me to remember you – to not forget your works and all those times you’ve been there for me and delivered me from my troubles. Lord, it’s easy to see our need for you when we are down in the valley, but it’s when we get on the mountain top that we tend to forget you. Lord, whenever we get back up on that mountain top again – help us to keep dependent upon you and remember all the many times you were there for us to help carry us through the valley. In Jesus sweet and most precious name… Amen!
I would love a copy of this book! God bless you Suzie.
After 20 years of living away from God, He called me back to him after a long struggle with depression and anxiety. I am learning to trust Him for everything. I know it’s a long journey but I also know that He will be with me every step of the way. I received your devotional from a GodVine email and was truly blessed. I have subscribed to your blog and can’t wait to read more!
I just subscribed. Book sounds great and timely!
Thanks for this blog. I to often remember the negative things that happen instead of the positive and joyful things that happen. I need to follow Philippians 4:8,9
I appreciated your devotional this morning. So often I live in the moment, not taking time to treasure memories of the past, and of how He has worked in my life. Thank you for reminding me to slow down and cherish what He has done.
I loved this book Suzie and would highly recommend it to all. My husband has Alzheimer’s and last week was a tough one. But in the midst of it I’m learning to look up to God and not on what’s happening. How it has made a difference in my life to let God control it and for me to sit back and watch him take the wheel. That gives me immense peace instead of craziness. That craziness was aging me amongst other things. So to remember to stop in the midst and give it to him. That is one of the great things I took away from this book. Thanks Suzie.
Subscribed and looking forward to the challenge! Thank you!
Thank you for the reminder to remember those good nourishing times. I would love a copy of your book. Humbly.
Love this! What we choose to remember can help us overcome the messes of life and become the masterpieces God created us to be! Amen!
I am a long time subscriber to Suzie’s blog, and her words never fail to inspire me. A lot of times it seems her words are written just for me.
Thank you Suzie for another beautiful post! What a beautiful reminder that we need to remember the things that give our lives meaning, and fill us with joy, and not let the little things that don’t matter steal the joy! Be willing to step out in faith, and trust that God has it all under control!
I am so excited for the #ComeWithMe 21 Day Challenge! Can I just say again how this book has truly changed my life? I have read the book 4 times, I still listen to the audio version in my car. Each time I read it or listen to it, I am filled with new truths and hope! I have given several copies out as gifts and plan on buying several more for Christmas presents for family and friends that I know will be forever changed by Come With Me!
I NEED to read this book. I love taking care of other people and making sure their physical needs are met, but yet find I’m not meeting the need of “fostering” relationships, making memories, and listening to what my heavenly Father says is important in those little moments in between.
This devotional was encouraging and a great reminder for me to not fear the future but to hold on to the memories I have of seeing my daughter loving to be honoring to our Holy God and desiring His guidance and direction for all of her decisions. My Hope is in The Lord that in His timing He will remind her once again of her first true Love and how Only He can satisfy our greatest needs in this fallen world…. my heart aches, but I hold on to my memories and I pray for her with out ceasing…may she too be blessed by Gods grace in remembering His faithfulness through her memories of His Endless Love shown towards her…
I’m subscribed and super interested in your book! Thank you for sharing today. I know the pain of Alzheimer’s disease and I’m so very sorry your family has had to go through it. I lost my mom last year due to complications from the disease. Every day I look at my two small children and miss her dearly, just as I have since the disease took over her memories. Praying for your family, for your mother-in-law and for your dear father-in-law.
Thank you for your book Come With Me. I have read and reread it several times. I appreciate your kind, quiet way. I’ve never been a quiet person and feel set apart because I can be loud and a “blurter”. I will continue to work towards a more Godly attitude and try to be the person God wants me to be.
What a powerful reminder for me to prioritize making good memories and let go of things that squalor my time and bog me down. My mom has suffered from dementia for about 10 years and has no memories. It is hard but I constantly see God transforming our family through this disease. We are often quick to forget God’s goodness when in a crisis so we need to remind ourselves what He has done for us in the past. Would love to read your book!
Would love it, just came across this
Thank you for sharing! I am excited to have subscribed to your blog so I can get more of you encouraging words. God Bless!
I pray God will help me to remember only those things which have eternal significance and release to Hilm the worries, concerns, and conflicts this world brings. Thank you for sharing this timely message.
Wow! This was just the encouragement I needed today. I get so busy sometimes and forget to live in the moment and take time to capture the little moments in my heart. I am so excited to see what else you include in your blog. Thank you so much again!
I just subscribed today to your blog. I look forward to more great reading. This book looks like something I need. I hope to be able to read it soon! 🙂
I just signed up today. Linked over from Proverbs 31 ministry daily email.
Going deeper to impact my world.
I just subscribed today. I really related to your post today because I have 2 grandmothers currently dealing with Alzheimer’s. My Grandma who is 102 doesn’t remember any of us anymore. She told me the other day that I was very kind, which made me smile, but it also made me sad because she has no recollection of anything we’ve ever done together. I will have to remember for both of us. I have to remind myself not to let busyness steal moments away that God set aside for Memories.
102! Wow. What a privilege to have her in your life for so long. It sounds like she has given you a wonderful heritage.
I’m already subscribed and looking forward to the 21 Day Challenge. Would love another copy of Come Go With Me to give to a friend. Hoping I can convince her to join me in the challenge!
I would love to have this book at Nigeria where I am. Each time I read a post on your blog, I gain fresh insight to my relationships and my Christian walk. Thank you.
Thank you for your devotional today. It blessed my heart & helped me to a new perspective on my day. I would love to read your book.
Thank you for this message. I know I need to work on remembering the good things, and not focusing on the one bad thing.
This is a beautiful post. I’ve been through the battle with the this wicked disease twice now. Only the Lord can get us through it. Thank you for the reminder to remember the good.
Thank you for this engorgement! I do need to remember the good because I am missing my prodigals son and daughter so much this days . They were good kids growing up but they broke my hart leaving there faith when they cam back from college. I do need to read such a book like yours!
WOW! This sounds like an amazing book! And sounds so timely for me. Just stumbled across this today and subscribed to your blog.
Thank you so much for this devotional today and for the reminder to remember the good things and how God has provided.
Your devotional today was so beautiful and such a wake-up call for me. My Mom is 91 yrs young and doesn’t have Alzheimers but does have severe dementia. I often get so frustrated with the repetition of her questions…this devotional reminded me to take a moment of thankfulness for her and her long life. There will come a day when she is no longer with me…I need to not take each day for granted but rejoice in each day. I would luv to read your book. I’ve also subscribed to your blog.
thanks so much!
I would love to win a copy of your book to read! I have completely turned my life around, more & more, over the last decade, 9yrs to be exact, which I have spent with the man that is now my husband of 4+ yrs and father to our 2 beautiful daughters. It has DEFINITELY been a ROCKY road. We have overcome our fair share of hard times, that we weren’t sure we would see through, together as a couple, but I like to try my best to remember the good memories over the bad, as much as I possibly can. Thank you for this very inspirational, heartfelt devotion!
So true, Suzie! Thank you for this powerful reminder. You’re absolutely right — we do have a choice. And I want to choose to remember the good!
Loved your devotional today! I subscribed to your blog today. Can’t wait to read more of God’s wisdom and truth from you. Your book sounds amazing! 🙂
I am on a journey I hoped I would never have to take. Watching my husband of 44 years waste away before my eyes and feel the lose and hurt along with my children. While all of us feel helpless and deeply hurt we know God has not changed. We don’t know how our lives will change once he is no longer with us because none of us have journeyed in this place before. We know we will have to listen to God more intently than ever to fully recover from this and find what God has for us in the future. I think your book would be a great help in guiding the way for me in this new and scary place.
I so needed to hear what you shared in your devotional today! I subscribed to the blog and look forward to hearing more from you!
I am a subscriber and I love your messages. They always speak to my heart. I can’t wait for your 21 Day Challenge. So glad your listened to God when He said. ‘Come Follow Me’.
I learned similar lessons with my Grandmother who had Alzheimer’s. certainly puts the focus on what’s important in life. Thanks for your thoughts!!
So thankful to learn and praise our Lord through every trial!
Dee
I really enjoyed your devotional today. It was so very applicable to my life. I would love the chance to read your book!
Wow look at God! thank you for this book as my family and I are learning how to deal with our dads dementia. Thank you! for this book I so look forward to reading this book. I m sure it would be a help to me and my family. Thank You my Lord and Savior, you always know what we need and when we needed.
I’d love to read it!
My 89 y/o mother is increasingly forgetful. As she becomes concerned about this, I remind her that she remembers the important things like never beginning her day without prayer and devotions to her Lord. She remembers His past faithfulness and depends on His future grace. When life gets hard, sometimes for both of us, we remind each other of the goodness of God…and we rest.
How often I wish the day would pass fast, the week would hurry and end. How much I must be missing by not slowing down and putting God first!!!
what a great message. This has been a rough season. My mother has Huntingtons Disease. It is said to be like having Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s & ALS symptoms all at once. She was diagnosed about 5 years ago. Within those 5 years, my 2 sisters & I got genetically tested. All 3 of us daughters will develop HD & die from complications if we live long enough. last year my dad left my mom after we found out he was having an affair. My younger sister has taken over as the main caretaker. I have been wishing time away till my parents divorce is final. Holding on to hurt & anger caused by my dad. This has been a reminder to hold on to the memories that are in the making with my mom & sisters. Thank you. If you are reading this, please go to HDSA.org so you can get educated about Huntingtons Disease. Please say a prayer that it won’t touch my 2 kids & strength for my family as we walk this road.
I love your teachings they always seem to hit home with me to teach me and remind me . I hope I can win your book and read evertthing else you have to share. Thank you for your teachings!
I would love to read your book!
Thank you for sharing – I’ve just recently tried to start focusing on – MAKING MOMENTS THAT MATTER – and this is some reinforcement to help re-focus and zero in on the real things in life.
This was a great way to show us what we are focusing on! Thank you for the great reminder!
Just subscribed! This book is speaking right to where
my husband and I are right now. God is challenging our long time dream.
I just subscribed! Reading the first chapter of your book has already challenged and encouraged me. I’m excited to read more on your blog!
I just subscribed to your blog and I actually thought I already did this. Because you are the best and I can’t believe i wasn’t already subscribed. Anyway I have (had) 2 Come With Me books. I gave 1 to my best friend and the other one I am sharing around with other friends/family. I have been truly blessed by this book.
Thank you for sharing and reminding me, “Don’t let busyness steal your memories”. I have learned to slow down and focus on my family. I put my business on hold for a while. Our family has become closer together. Praise the Lord!
Making time for memories is so important. Thanks for the reminder!
I love following you, Suzie, and I SO appreciate the vulnerability you continue to show us! Thank you so much for always sharing your true heart!
xoxo