Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday December 16, 2009

A close friend and I were talking about the power of memory and why neither of us remembered quite as well as in years gone by. As we explored the feats of days gone by, we did ascertain that while our memory power may be on the wane, it is certain that most of our memory problems were not related to the wonders of our memory.

We simply were failing to focus with intensity on the things or people we failed to remember.

The failure to focus is a symptom of the times in which we live. In my opinion the number one contributor to failure to remember is distractions. It is pretty certain that our mind cannot intensely focus on two things at once. So, as you proceeded to the pulpit or speakers rostrum, someone introduced you to their friend, or insisted at the critical moment of relating the latest joke. Later you could not recall the name or the joke. A memory problem? Not really. You simply were intensely focused on something else, something else that was important to the group who had come to hear you.

I recall an incident when as I sat in an 8th grade math class the teacher slammed down his ruler, stormed from his desk and stood hovering over me like the ogre he was, demanding to know what I was thinking as I obviously was NOT paying any attention at all to him. Due to the rumors of his predilection for boys, I dared not reveal my innermost thoughts due to the fact that while he was sharing the wonders of math, I, in my wonder with the miracle of people was, while looking out the window, intensely studying the cheer leaders practicing on the sidelines of the football field. Now, many years later I still recall the scene and for the life of me I do not recall the math problem or the solution. Nor do I care. Far too many young men in our day are more interested in math than girls. Just read the proposed laws in congress.

Memorization is an effective tool in helping to get back on track after a shocking experience rather physical, emotional or spiritual. Memorizing scripture has long been a valuable tool in learning to meditate on spiritual things. In times of trouble a recalled passage of scripture can make a vast difference in how we respond. If we have failed to memorize scriptures, how can we recall any?

Tryon Edwards a 19th century theologian wrote:

"The secret of a good memory is attention, and attention to a subject depends upon our interest in it. We rarely forget that which has made a deep impression on our minds."

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2009 Use with credit

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