Memorials

“God’s works are so great, worth 

A lifetime of study--endless enjoyment!

Splendor and beauty mark is his craft;

His generosity never gives out.

His miracles are his memorial--

This God of Grace, this God of Love.” (Psalm 111:2-4 MSG)

The topic of monuments and memorials is currently part of the national discourse. Depending on your perspective, a certain historical statue might be worthy of reverence or disdain. These ideological battles over symbols are frivolous. As far as I am concerned, there are much more pressing matters that need attention. 

How do we memorialize our loved ones? We remember their attributes and contributions, share memories, write down their words, and celebrate their virtues.  Will future generations be able to appreciate the person we love to the same extent as we do? Probably not. Despite the presence of a large headstone in a cemetery and annual ceremonies to honor my dead grandfather, I have no recollection of him. He died when I was an infant. Everything I know about my grandfather is from the memories of other relatives who experienced life with him. And my grandfather’s garden--a small plot in the backyard of the old ancestral home. He planted a variety of fruit trees that his grandkids were able to enjoy. 

The God of Grace surrounds us in a sphere of splendor and beauty. His love is evident in nature. His miracles are His memorial. His work is unforgettable. Every generation gets to enjoy His generosity. God’s depth is worth a lifetime of study. His revelations are mysterious and marvelous. Remembering Him fills our hearts with gratitude. To appreciate God is to experience Him. To experience Him is to know Him. To know Him is to revere Him.