Thoughts for Thursday by Emily Farmer

Take Pictures, Make Memories

I write today with a heavy heart. A dear friend of mine lost her dad last week. As I spent time with her I was reminded of what LOVE looks like and really is. She had such a loving relationship with her dad and that love has overflowed to her family and friends. Although I never met her father I got the feeling and knew from the first words I heard spoken about him that he was a great man. There were so many stories of all the good things he had done and it was obvious that he touched many lives. It was also obvious that he was doing the work that he was sent to do and that was share Jesus' love with all he came in contact with. Many of times my sweet dear friend has poured out this love to me and my boys. You see my friend also has three boys. And there in no doubt in my mind that God allowed our paths to cross so she can help me take care of them and show me how to raise them. I once heard a pastor say that all young mothers need a Lois as 2 Timothy 1:5-7 talks about. She is my Lois and there is no doubt it's all because of her dad. She is a true gem I hold in my treasure chest. I wouldn't trade it for nothing in the world. She shows this love to me and my boys as the bible verse Titus 2:4-6 says "These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely."

As I walked around the room looking at pictures of my friends dad and his family it was evident that love was the center that made them a family. He dearly loved his grandchildren and you could see the proof in the pictures. So much love. There were so many great pictures that told wonderful stories of his live as a husband, father, grandfather and friend. I couldn't help but think that all those pictures hold memories, treasures that you can hold in your hands and cherish in your heart. I was reminded that night that you can never take too many pictures. Pictures are memories that you can hold in your hands when your loved ones are no longer there to hold. Isaiah 30:8 even tells us to journal and scrapbook if you will it says, "Now go and write down these words. Write them in a book.They will stand until the end of time as a witness." Journal and scrap booking where if through paper,digital or computer it's worth doing for your children. Leave a legacy that someone someday can hold in their hands and treasure.

So today I challenge you to take a ton of pictures. You can never have enough. Be a Ms. Kodak and take pictures of all events and make those memories a hard copy. Some day you may hold them in your hands as only the most treasured possession you have of a memory. Second I would say journal any thoughts or cute things your children says or does and leave a legacy of love behind after you are gone. And last but, most important tell those that are most precious to you that you love them. Saying I love you is so powerful. Something I didn't hear too often as a child. It was just assumed never said out loud to hear. Sad but true. I have caught myself a number of times thinking it but, not saying it. I am trying to retrain my thought process and say those three most important words " I love YOU!". That's very hard for me but, slowly I am changing that and learning to do it instead of thinking it.

But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. Exo 20:6


Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35

And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 1 Thess. 3:12