At one time or another we’ve all forgotten someone or something. It’s part of the human experience, I guess. I have a fairly decent memory (at least about useless facts-but don’t ask me what I did with my car keys or my phone!), but I forget names occasionally. I recently saw some of my family I’ve not seen in years. Some haven’t changed a bit, but others, well, I had to stop & think.
I’m thankful God never forgets…anyone! We’re all important to Him. You know there are people in your life & routine that may prove to be a pain. You may hate to see them come. God never feels that way about us, no matter how much of a pain we are. We’re all important to Him. I just can’t fathom that. I mean, I can’t take that all in & square it with the experience I have of some people. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a people person & love folks, it’s just, well, some are a pain!
When I stop to think about how Jesus reacted & acted to people it blows me away. Even though He was either pulled at to do some miracle to please folks, or feed them or satisfy their religious expectations, He never quit loving them or reaching out to them. Even when reaching out meant His arms were nailed to a cross beam!
I overheard a discussion with my family about all the ‘begats’ in the bible. If you’ve ever tried to read the bible you’ve probably stumbled over that part. I mean, the bible pretty much starts off with so-and-so begat what’s-his-name & what’s-his-name turned around & begat what’s-his-face. Really makes you think, ‘Who really gives a rip about someone named ‘Abimelech’ or ‘Abihu’ (who was Abihu anyway?!)”? Well, in a word, I guess God does. If you know me, you know I have the patience & attention of a gnat, so I have to labor at reading, let alone caring, about who begat whom! I have been reminded more than once that God must think them special or of import to list those by name in His word…even if it’s just a brief mention. The New Testament isn’t any better. It starts off with all that same ‘begat’ stuff:
"The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;...."
Well, you get the picture. Thing is, here it’s a birth line to God’s only Son. Pretty important bunch of ‘begats’ I suppose.
Again, I still have to remind myself all people are important; even the annoying, hateful ones. No one is forgotten, but ‘unforgotten’. No matter how insignificant someone may seem in the ‘grand scheme’ of others around them, God thinks them important. I was reminded of this in a sadly, poignant way this week. A little, unassuming lady in our church died. She was very quiet & mostly kept to herself & never stood out. She had a sweet spirit & meek way. Some of our ladies picked her up for church & checked on her, helping her as they could. They didn’t get an answer on her phone & finally someone checked. She died. Alone. It grieved my heart, but God reminded me she was never alone. He was there as she drew her last breath & He escorted her into Paradise.
You may feel like no one really cares about you. No one really understands or cares if you’re even occupying a spot on this spinning ball in space. Well, no matter what you may think, God is head-over-heals in love with you. Undignified? Maybe, but pretty descriptive of Someone Who would die for you.
“What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matt 10:29-31
So when you are feeling alone & unimportant, remember, you’re not forgotten, but ‘unforgotten.’
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