PLEASE REMEMBER         

In 2 Chronicles 24 we read an incident of forgotten kindness. The story begins back at the end of chapter 22 when Joash was hidden for six years to spare his life from the deadly intent of a dead king’s evil wife.  Joash, whose life was spared by being in the temple with Jeohiada’s family for six years, was now king.  As described in 2 Chronicles 24:18, while Joash was king, he allowed the people to “abandon the temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors.” The people turned to asherah poles and idols, instead of continuing on the worship of the one true God.

The story continues with the spirit of the Living God coming upon Zechariah, who was the son of Jehoida the priest.  Zechariah stated to the people a rebuke of their ways in that they had turned from the God of Israel and, spoke the message in verse 24 “You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.” Of course the people did not want to hear any gloom and doom and they certainly did not want to hear that God would forsake them.  As the people plotted against Zechariah they were able to coax King Joash into an order to have Zechairiah stoned to death. 

Here is a bitter story of someone not remembering the kindness shown to him; but, rather, participating in the demise of another whose family had shown him kindness by sheltering and protecting his very life!

So, how do you remember those who have shown you kindness? And, how do you repay others for their kind acts? Some people keep a diary, or, journal of their daily blessings.  I’ve seen items on the market as such where at a certain moment in the day the writer can record specific details of their blessings.  In a day of technology, I guess we could also use our phones as a means to keep a historical record.  We could even use our phone to create a date on our calendar.  Perhaps even making an alarm on our phone to remind us in a certain timeframe, say the next month, of the details of kindness received and the difference it made in our attitudes. 

In my mother’s old yellow-paged cover-torn concordance I find so many references to kindness.  And, I’m struck by the numerous references of God’s kindness.  Don’t you just see God’s kindness at work in your life?  How about writing a journal of his kindness exhibited in your life, as a nurse?  The patient load you receive as an extension of his providence? The coworkers you have which, together, you form a very strong cord which are able to perform great feats of nursing support to sick patients!  Or, the kindness God has shown you by bringing you to the type of nursing practice where most, if not all, of the gifts He has given can be manifested to bless others.  What about the kindness of God to bring to you the supplies, medications and equipment appropriate for your patients?  People in third world countries would have a much different prognosis if they were blessed with what are in our supply rooms, the DME we take for granted, or, the medications which provide relief from disease. 

Won’t you accept my challenge to set aside a moment in time, today, to reflect and record the ways God has shown his kindness to you? As you remember God’s kindness to you, I hope your passion to continue as a nurse will fan the flame of years more of serving others!