Remember Who You Are

At some point in my life, I decided to collect hats. They were mostly ball caps but not all. When I was younger, it was unusual to see me not wearing one. My parents constantly told me not to wear them in the house. Today, I still have a small collection of ball caps. I threw over 200 of my hats away as a gift to my wife years ago. She did not ask me to get rid of them, but I knew she was not a fan. Unlike some collections that people have for viewing pleasure only, I wore my hat. Why possess something if you never intend to use it? 

Life never stops. It changes from time to time. It causes us to wear different hats, sort of speak. There are times when the hat I wear is one of a husband. At other times, I wear the hat of Dad. In the last couple of years, my hat has changed to G-pop. That is what my grandchildren call me. I also wear hats as an employee, friend, coworker, teacher, and writer, and the list continues. 

The problem with wearing so many hats is we forget who we are. We get lost in the things we do but forget who we are.

Life is a series of forgetting and remembering. Countless times I forget something when I can do it yet remember it when I am not home to do it. The same is true of who we are. I am not just a dad. I am so much more. I just have to remember I am also a husband and all of the things listed above and more.

There are many troubles we can avoid if we remember who we are. So many things God provides to us solely on who are. We remember our roles, but we forget who we are. We are children of God. That makes me a son and not just any son. I am the son of my Father. Sometimes we think of ourselves as servants of God, like the oldest son in the story of the prodigal son. We think that who we are does nothing for us but creates responsibilities. However, the oldest son forgot that he was the son. Everything the father had was his. He had access to his inheritance even while his father was alive. He just never asked his father any of it.

We must remember who we are. You may even need to remind yourself several times a day that you are the son/daughter of your Father. All that he has is yours. We seem to forget our identity by remembering the various hats we wear in life. Remind yourself often. I am the son/daughter of my Father. He made me in his image. I am beautiful and perfect, and he created me to be loved.

Everyone forgets who he or she is from time to time. We need to stop forgetting to remember. Life will throw curve balls at you. Things that make it easy to forget your identity abound.  Do not allow stress, shame, grief, or fear to cause havoc in your life. However, if they do, all you have to do is remember. I am the son/daughter of my Father. He holds no grudges. He is a forgiving Father. He welcomes me with open arms and love. He wants to be in our presence just as he desires for us to enjoy his presence.

Sometimes we judge ourselves unworthy of being a son, like the youngest son in the parable of the prodigal son. He thought he was unworthy to be a son. He believed he should be treated like a slave when he returned. However, like him, the truth is that we are the sons/daughters of the Father. The youngest son believed a lie. We give lies about our identity power when we judge ourselves as powerless or weak or hold onto doubts. Forget your self-judgments. Remember who you are.

Missing Them

Nearly twenty and a half years ago, my mom passed away. After so much time has passed, you would think it would get easier. However, at 4:30 in the morning while driving to work, I began to weep with thoughts of how much I missed her still. It was an unexpected moment. Why now? I do not know. 

Most people believe their mom is the best. I am no exception. She is obviously a major part of why I am who I am today. My children never really got to know their grandma. She died when my youngest was just three years old. I believe they have missed something as a result. 

This past Christmas, I lost my dad and stepmom less than a month apart from each other. If you know me, you know a lot about my dad. My wife would see my dad and tell me she could see my future. Later she would tell me I have already become him. I may not be as great as my dad, but even now as my eyes began to water, I hope to at least let my grandkids see him through me. 

All four of my grandparents died. Three while I was an adult. I barely knew my dad's father. The three I knew well, had major influences in my life. I remember watching Lawrence Welk and soap operas, taking walks on the levees, eating breakfast at McDonald's. Each one holds different memories. Each one has a spot in my heart and mind that I hope never fades away. 

A friend's mom passed away recently and asked if the pain ever goes away. Maybe to some degree, but I do not think it does. There is always a part of those we lost inside of us. A hole that cannot be filled. We learn to live through it. Some memories may fade. We may focus on new things, but that spot is always reserved for our loved ones. 

Life is short. While we should not live in the past, the past obviously has an influence on us. It shapes our thoughts, personalities, and behaviors. We learn from the people in our lives whether we realize it or not. 

I believe that my heavenly Father created me. I want his characteristics and personality to be a major influence in my life. I want to love how he loves. I want to show mercy and grace the way he does. I want to be there for the hurting people. I do not want to treat people who disagree with me any differently than those I love the most. I want to be kind. I want to forgive. These things are not always easy to do.

I hope the world sees God when they look at me. I also hope they do not see my flaws as part of who he is. I get those all by myself. I want to be like him even more than my loved ones from the past have become a part of me. 

I will never forget those that have gone before me. I pray I do not forget about those that are with me now. 

Never forget!

In the United States, today is a federal holiday known as Memorial Day. It is the day our country remembers and honors those in the armed forces that have died serving our country. This is not to be confused with Veterans Day that celebrates all veterans that have served in our country's armed forces. Without those men fighting and giving up their lives, our country would not be the same. 

Unfortunately, some people just look at this day is another federal holiday. People use their day off in different ways. Some get together and have barbecues, some head to the beach, and others sleep late. There is nothing wrong with any of these, but never forget why we have the opportunity to do those things. 

This is a holiday where traditionally we decorate the graves of the deceased soldiers. We fly our flags at half-staff until noon when it rises to the top of the flagpole again. The is a concert that takes place at the US Capitol, and across the country, many cities and towns hold Memorial Day Parades. 

We often say things in life like we will never forget, but as time passes on the memories began to fade. Even Jesus told his disciples at the last supper to do this in memory of me. Shortly after, Peter denied he even knew Jesus. 

The busier our lives become, the harder it is for us to remember. We began focusing on other things. Our focus on the important matters began to blur, and we only see what we want to see. Without Jesus, Christians would never know the freedom they have. Without the armed forces, Americans would not know the freedoms they have now.  

On September 11, 2011, terrorists attacked America including the twin towers. We claimed we would never forget. The country came together to make a stand. Since then, we let division become the norm. We seem to have forgotten that "United We Stand". 

Let us get back to the basics and remember those that have died serving our country. It took people to fight The American Revolution, The War of 1812, The Civil War, The World Wars and many other wars and many lives have been lost.

Look at what you have now. The freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, and the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness all cost something. Remember the cost. It cost many lives, and the men and women who paid that price for us deserve for us to honor and remember them. 

We often take these things for granted. However, I return to my original point. "Never Forget!"