It Takes Work To Remember

Last night I went to sleep with a canker sore in my mouth that hurt so bad it seemed to define my existence. Today, I woke up and it was all healed. I had completely forgotten about it until I saw the numbing medicine on the counter.

Two months ago I was so tired of the irritation and work it took to have good sight and wear contacts that I was ready to pay nearly anything to avoid it. I had PRK surgery and now I don’t even remember what it was like to wear contacts. I don’t even realize I’m without the contact removal in my nightly routine.

Two weeks ago I wanted so badly to be in better tune with the Spirit so I could help a loved one in a time of need. I prayed fervently for it. Yesterday I caught myself thinking, “I guess it’s okay to skip one day of scripture study because I’m really making progress on this work project.”

My point is that humans are incredibly good at forgetting things that just recently were a big focus point in their lives. The scriptures are full of examples of “how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one.”(ref) One of the saddest scriptures I know refers to the end of the thousands years that Christ will rule on this earth in righteousness and satan will be bound. After all that time with the Savior, the thousand years will end and men will “again begin to deny their God.” (ref) How is that even possible to forget after all that time?

I think that writing in your journal is the best way to fight our forgetful nature. But I also believe that remembrance is a gift of the Spirit that should be prayed for constantly….if we can remember to do it.