Revelation 2:4-5 — Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Myra and I were talking this morning about memories, and how they come and go. We were wondering whether the Holy Spirit is always purposeful in the way it brings things to our remembrance.
My first real memory is an odd one. I was crouched under a yellow bush, separate from the other kids who, for some reason weren’t playing with me. It started to rain, the bush started to smell, the others left and I just got wet. I don’t suppose I was more than three at the time. I have no idea why that memory comes back from time to time …
If you’re anything like me, it’s your lowlights and highlights that you remember most often and most sharply. I’ll never forget the heart-stopping moment when I discovered that a company that I had given good service to for eleven years had decided it could do without me. I’ll never forget, either, the time when I realized I’d aced the interview for a replacement job, and knew that I had a chance to rebuild.
Of course there are two memories that shine above all others. One was the day I got saved. The other — and forgive me if I spend a little time on it today of all days — was the day I met my beautiful wife. We met outside the Town Hall: There was this not very tall, short haired, severely dressed lady (Myra was all blacks and grays then — everything’s different now except the height!). That was it. You could have put a fork in me and called me done — though it took a while for me to admit it. We walked round the park on a cool pleasant evening, then had a dinner that probably tasted a lot better than it really was. We sat outside on blue milk crates and talked until we had to leave. Then we went, reluctantly, on our separate ways. More than twenty years later that memory is one that I fetch out often. I think the Spirit brings that one out so that I never forget how blessed I am.
I believe, with no great Biblical warrant, that the memories that keep coming back are brought back for a purpose — because there is a blessing to count, or an injury to forgive, or a debt to pay, or a sin to repent. I’m reminded of Mary, who “kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” I mean to ponder with intention, to see if I can hear what the Holy Spirit is saying through my memories.