Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember?
When it comes to birthdays and other special occasions, my family counts on me to remember these and remind them to send a card or make that phone call.
"Daniel, Nana's birthday is in a week. Get that card in the mail."
"Sarah, don't forget to call Grandpa on Christmas to wish him a happy birthday."
So, imagine my chagrin, my horror, my shame, when, one year, I forget.
An incredibly important occasion . . .
I am so engrossed in writing my novel, I literally don't know what day of the week it is.
That is NOT an excuse. Not at all.
How could I NOT recall? Especially, since I love my dad so much.
How could I be so self-absorbed as to totally miss the approach of Fathers' Day???
The realization dawns on the Friday evening before the Sunday event. No time to buy and send a card. It won't get there until Monday.
Too late . . .
I am sick at heart. I have never missed a Fathers' Day or my dad's birthday. I know he, of all people, will understand, but that doesn't make me feel any less like a heel.
Lacking any alternative, I send Dad a lovely e-card. Let him know it's on the way as he doesn't always check his computer.
Feeling lower than low and guilty as sin. Promising myself this will NEVER happen again. For any reason. On any occasion.
I vow to write down every important date on my calendar.
And, check them!
Because, there is no excuse in forgetting loved ones.
To not regard their needs because I'm so embroiled in my own selfish pursuits.
Such a painful and humbling lesson . . .
But, one that taught me well.
To . . . forget-me-NOT.
~
Have you ever forgotten a special occasion in a loved one's life?
Will you pray with me?
Let us always remember, Father, the words and teachings of Your beloved Son, Jesus. May they guide us in all truth and righteousness. Never let our selfish desires consume us. Make us ever mindful of the needs of those we love. Amen.
Readings
Psalms 101, 109:1-4 (5-19) 20-30 or 119:121-144
Genesis 50:15-26
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Mark 8:11-26
Don't be hard on yourself...It is ok absoulutely OK to forget once in while.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Janaki, and for your kind words. It actually made me feel better about the whole thing when I wrote it out.
DeleteBlessings to you!
Boy did I forget...One year my first of sobriety I forgot every grand childs birthday...can you believe that. It was horrifying and one little one was devastated. I had no excuse besides being so focused on other things I completely forgot. It has not happened since I will assure you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Jan!
DeleteIt's amazing how it only takes one major moment of forgetting to make us straighten up and fly right. I do think we can allow our minds to become so cluttered with getting through the day, we don't spend the time we should in planning ahead.
Blessings to you!
I have done that once or twice in life,and it does give shame,guilt.
ReplyDeleteThe same with God,I had become so bitter with my experiences in life,that I forgot about Him,and I thank the Lord that I came to my senses in time.
We are a forgetful people. It is far to easy for us to lose sight of who God
is and what He has done in our lives. The people of Israel in the Old
Testament provide a perfect example of the consequences of such
forgetfulness. If we learn from their mistakes, we can grow as people who
practice gratitude and remembrance so that we will not lose sight of our
Great God and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
The more important something is, the more crucial it is to remember it. The greater the
significance of something, the greater the benefits will be of remembering it, and the greater
the consequences will be if you forget it.
Wow, Alpana, what a thought-provoking comment you have written here!
DeleteI, too, have been in that place where I neglected to thank God for all my blessings. He was patient with me and set me to rights, thank goodness!
And, yes, I agree - we can learn so much about forgetfulness and its consequences by reading the Old Testament and the trials and tribulations of the people of Israel. Every time they chose to turn away from God, to forget Him and pursue idols, they were punished. Thankfully, God forgave them when they turned to Him with repentant hearts.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Many blessings!
Let us be wise enough to admit to our forgetting special days of our loved ones dominated by other priorities of life. but does that reduce our love for them? we are humans. so, we may forget and rectify ourselves through our prayers and our actions of loving them more and more.
ReplyDeleteinstead of the feeling of guilt, let us surrender our weakness through prayers. i am sure HE will guide us in a more significant way:)
loved reading your post Martha.
Thanks so very much, Fantasy, for dropping by today!
DeleteI agree - forgetting a special occasion of a loved one doesn't mean we don't love them. I had a difficult time forgiving myself for this mess up, but finally was able to over time and with God's help.
And, surrendering our weaknesses and shortcomings to Him who can heal us and guide us in every way is absolutely the right thing to do!
So glad you enjoyed reading this today. :)
Blessings to you!
I'm trying hard to remember but when it comes to my family, I never missed out on anyone. I do when it comes to special celebrations in the Church though.
ReplyDeleteI pray with you. I know how you feel but I guess the focus should always be the other person rather than the missing out part.
It happens so we will never forget :)
Melissa, it's the only time I have missed - ever! That's why it was such a wake-up call for me. Thank goodness I have a marvelous and understanding dad and a Father in Heaven who gently, but firmly, reminds me when I mess up.
DeleteWonderful to see you here as always, my friend!
Blessings!