Devotionals for the Heart: The Key to Remembering What Matters

Remembering What Matters
A devotional by Sarah Cole

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I won't forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”—Isaiah 49:15-16 (NIV)

My father introduced me to Post-it Notes when I was too young to need stationery.

He was a born salesman, and his job selling commercial office supplies for 3M company took him around the globe. I vividly remember the days he arrived home, tired from jet lag. He would walk in the door, saying, "Sarah, your Papa is home!" At the sound of his voice, I would run down the stairs as fast as my legs could carry me. My mother prepared his favorite meal and we ate the delicious dinner together. Afterward, he sat me down beside him, opened his briefcase, and showed me samples of the latest Post-it Notes in various shapes, colors, and designs.

Now that I'm older, my memory isn't what it used to be. But I don't need Post-it Notes to remember that when my cluttered mind tries to keep track of hundreds of details, I forget to seek God. There will never be enough hours in the day to juggle home, work, and church responsibilities. But if I wait until the end of the day to pray and read His Word (The Holy Bible), it's usually too late because I'm too tired to focus on anything but a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream and Netflix.

My friend Sharon doesn't share my struggle. She is one of the busiest people I know, yet she intentionally stays focused on God by posting Bible verses on sticky notes throughout her home. By reminding herself of God's promises, she has a solid foundation when storms come.

Psalm 139:1-6 (NIV) describes God's constant presence and perfect knowledge of us. Let's read: 

“You have searched me, Lord,

and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue

you, Lord, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before,

and you lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.”

Friend, if God watches over you with such great care and knows the paths you take in intimate detail, you can trust him to take care of the things you forget. His involvement in your life goes beyond significant life decisions to the everyday challenges you face. And He doesn't need a sticky note to remember to answer your prayers, bless your family, guide your choices, and heal your loved ones. He can't forget you because He's engraved your name on His hands (Isaiah 49:16).

Before your feet hit the floor each morning, I challenge you to ask God to help you plan your day. You will notice that, in return, He'll give you the grace to accomplish more in less time, and stressful situations will be more manageable. As the Author of time and space, He knows everything about you and the demands you face.

Let's Pray:
Dear Father, as the Sovereign Ruler over all creation, You alone are worthy of my undivided attention. As my to-do list gets longer and the days seem shorter, help me stop spinning my wheels and remember Your promise that everything else will work itself out when I put You first. In Jesus's Name I pray. Amen.

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Note from Alexis: Sarah’s devotional message today reminds me of the song “Make Room” by Jonathan McReynolds. Listen to it here. It also reminds me of the song "Remember Me" by Mark Schultz. Listen to it here. 

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Author Bio:

Sarah Cole’s interest in writing began in grade school when her poem was published in the local paper. As she got older, her mother’s chronic illness inspired her to design a line of greeting cards.

Since then, she has written for her college newspaper and two community newspapers where she wrote restaurant reviews and articles for their “Best of” spread.

Her experience as an administrator in the marketing field gave her the opportunity to write ads for a local business journal.

After a 20-year detour and a three-year season of adversity, God reignited her passion to write. Two divine appointments later, the short story she wrote about her father appeared in the St. Paul Almanac, and a short story about her cocker spaniel Gigi was published in Guideposts (magazine) Mysterious Ways. She believes her adversity was worth the lessons God taught her.

During this year (2022) and the next (2023), Sarah’s devotionals will be published in The Secret Place by Judson Press, as well as David C. Cook’s Devotions and The Quiet Hour. To this day, she smiles, pinches herself and gives God all the glory.

When she’s not writing, Sarah enjoys watching cooking shows, designing cards and mugs, and taking day trips.

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Connect with Sarah:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smittyc65
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@SarahCo45835279
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.cole.52