It was a simple glance at a thermos bottle.

My husband had brought in from the car. I’ve seen it countless times, filled it with steaming coffee and rinsed it out at the sink after each use. Why was this time any different? Today, it brought back memories of Dad. He carried a lunch box and thermos of coffee with him to work. I didn’t see an everyday thermos; I saw yesterday with Dad.

I do not live in the past; yet God paints my present with deep memories of days gone by. In His mercy, God removes most painful memories of regret. In their place, He sends the lingering smile of my sister Donna, Mom’s voice in long-distance calls or Dad welcoming me home at the kitchen screen door.

Lest we forget, scriptures contain many references to memorials and remembrance.

“And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me. In the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant established by My blood; it is shed for you (Luke 22:19-20 HCS).”