Count Your Blessings #39 – Frosty Morning Memories

There is nothing quite like that feeling that I get when I wake up in the morning and see that it is a crisp cold frosty morning outside. The pleasure is doubled if I have woken up as the sun is rising and the sky has that purple glow that you only get on these freezing mornings.

Putting on all the layers makes me feel like a little boy getting ready for school. I’m not sure where that memory comes from but there is a strong affinity between the two things. The funny thing is, when I was really little, at primary school, I didn’t have far to walk to school at all. School was literally across the road.

Having put on all of the layers I set out. From our current house I’m soon into th countryside. As soon as I hear the crunch that frosty grass makes I’m somewhere else. But this time I could be in one of two places. In one of the memories I’m still a little boy. Rather than going to school I’m walking on the Westwood in Beverley. The Westwood is a piece of open pasture land. We would regularly go walking there but for some reason the memories of winter walks are much stronger. the other place I could be is up in the Lake District fells, specifically, walking in Borrowdale. Sometimes the memory is completely different, the crunch is different and it’s the crunch of metal rugby studs piercing the ice.

It’s great to have these memories prompted by the simplest of circumstances. I have always regarded myself as being very privileged to be in this position, I know that so many people aren’t. It makes me reaffirm my commitment to invest time and energy in making sure that my children have the same privilege.

Throughout the Bible we are encouraged to remember, or encouraged that God remembers:

• Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. (Deuteronomy 5:15)
• They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer (Psalm 78:35)
• Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee (Luke 24:5–7)

God cares about or memories.

The Bible also encourages us:

• Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 6–8)

In a sense this is saying that God’s peace can give us new memories. This is something that I have experienced, it’s a miracle, and a real blessing.