https://odb.org/2025/01/23/treasure-chest
2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (ESV): 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
I think it is really encouraging that if we have someone we love who suffers from dementia that God has a treasure chest of his memories in heaven. Dementia is really sad and debilitating. The sufferer lives physically healthy but forgets his past. If he meets you today, tomorrow he will forget who you are or that he had even met you.
It is difficult as sometimes it is the memories of the past that keep us going for the future. Our younger times when growing up, doing silly things. Our courtship days. Our days at college or university. Our first bible study. Our first introduction to the Word of God. The birth of our babies and their infant days. Feeding them milk in the middle of the night. Our children’s school speech days and concerts and sports days. Our trips holidaying as a family. Basically, the longer we live, the more memories we have. Most we cherish, some we rather forget, but at least we can bring them back to remembrance. Alas, a dementia patient loses that ability. But our LORD has kept them in a treasure box for him or her! Praise the Lord, indeed, for His goodness and grace!
We live for the unseen as the things that are seen are transient and temporal. They are beautiful and functional. But as things age, they break down, and after years of neglect, they lose their lustre. Consumerism encourages us to discard the old and buy new ones. Moments are even more fleeting. They come and they go. Lost forever. Not everything may be preserved for posterity. Only the Word of God will be perpetual and will outlive even time.
This morning, while we are still mentally well and good, treasure the memories of the past, with our loved ones and with God. If possible, create more memories in the days to come. With our children and grandchildren, with Christ as we walk with Him. Make them memorable. Maybe we can not remember all of them, but God has kept for us in heaven a treasure chest of all our memories. Even if we were to lose them in the natural, we will get them all back in the eternal! Amen! Hallelujah!
Ronnie's Thoughts 