A Song to Recall My Memory

There is a new song out by Group 1 Crew called "Wake Me Up (Amnesia)".  And not only is this song catchy, for me, it is like sticking my nose against a mirror.  I am somewhat concerned that the band stalks me because this song was written about me, to me, for me...

Won't you wake me up when my faith is asleep; You never let me go, bring back my memory.  You bring these fools to love when you breathe into me.  Remind me how much I need ya, when I get amnesia.  Wake Me Up.

It also says "I forget the things that I should do, and do the things I shouldn't" and asks "who will I choose?  Me or You?".

I am going to be honest with y'all...when I am frustrated, grieving, plotting someone's demise...when I am in the heat of the moment...I totally forget what I am supposed to be doing.  And I know that God has His megaphone out when "Wake Me Up" comes on EVERY TIME I get in the car.  EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.  Wake up indeed...

I shut down when I am frustrated and go over scenarios in my head debating how to handle the situation.  I was told I appear rude...and I am sure I do...but I would rather appear rude, than open my mouth and totally confirm it.  I need time to cool my jets.   I also clean house when I am at a stalemate with myself, so if I appear rude, you may want to hire me to brighten your homestead. When the Swiffer comes out, my family knows to stear clear, even the dog...

And I prayed and cried and prayed and cried some more.  And when I was spent, I went to the Lord's Prayer and I had the BEST night's sleep that I have had in quite some time.  And God showed me a picture of my sorority sister and co-survivor of college physics at her 13 year old son's grave.  And my problem didn't seem quite so big.  And I got a text saying my sister-in-law's 19 year old brother had been in an accident and was called to rest in his forever home.  And my problem didn't seem quite so big.

And I wake up.  Because my amnesia clouds my current ability to remember that God is good and He is in control.  He counts our tears.  And yesterday, as my family laughed and giggled and ate cookie dough in the kitchen, He reminded me that He works ALL things for His good.  He reminded me that He brings my family closer and makes us stronger with each adverse situation.  He reminded me that life is so short and at the same time so much bigger than our current moment.  And He restored my peace.

My husband is the only thing that has survived my high-school goals.  And so for each of my children, this is but a moment.  A life lesson, an opportunity to test abilities, a chance to be molded and strengthened either in response to, or in spite of others.  Kids are way more resilient than adults, I have had 40 years to perfect holding a grudge and have had several moments where me and my friend Windex burned some calories.

Today was my daughters half-birthday and I took her this morning to get her learner's permit to drive and a Starbucks to celebrate the unbirthday.  She took over the wheel and got us back to the school parking lot all in one piece, although my hands are sore from gripping the seat.  As she bounded into school and I headed to work, the DJ on theHouseFM spoke to my heart.

She said REMEMBER when you were little and your parents would drop you off at your grandparents or a birthday party?  And she asked "what would they say as you got out of the car?".  Be good.  Because sometimes we get caught up in the moment and sometimes we just forget how to act.  As children of God we need to be reminded from time to time to be the good.

To REMEMBER all that He has blessed us with and that He is who we need to turn to in times of amnesia.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remember without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ...

REMEMBER that He sent His son to walk with us.  He understands humaning is way hard sometimes.  Jesus was constantly teaching us to love beyond ourselves and turned over tables in the temple because humans are good at making a mockery of things and forgeting what He came for.  People, we are messy and absent-minded and I am sure I get it wrong a lot more than I get it right most weeks.



Christmas is God's gift of sacrifice.  A "Wake-Up" to the world to be reconciled.  A megaphone in a manger calling us to remember how much He is needed in our world, so small and at the same time, so incredibly consuming...