Forsaking Forgetfulness

Why is it that people are so prone to forget what others have done for them?  Perhaps you have not thought of it that way, but you must acknowledge that there is a sad lack of gratefulness in our world.  It may be a modern problem, but as I look at Scripture I see that it was an ancient one as well.  Here are a few suggestions for the causes of our sinful forgetfulness:

Pride is a common root of sin, we need to be wary of how it crops up and causes trouble in many different ways.  Gratitude is an admission that what we have was or at least helped along by someone else.  If think about it we realize that we are not at all self-sufficient.  That is especially true in the most important things like our country, our freedoms and our salvation.  We ought to remember and never forget that these are precious gifts.  God is to be praised for them and some men also ought to be remembered and thanked.

a gift, a sacrifice

Busyness may be an excuse for a lot of things (which means that it is usually a lie) but it is a real reason for our lack of thoughtfulness.  We endeavor to fill every moment with some kind of activity, entertainment, or noise, and the world has a constant stream of things to keep us from having a quiet moment.  Have you noticed that our society thinks it is a high tribute to have a minute of silence for someone?  That may be the right idea, but it is hardly enough time for a true memorial.  We need to schedule quiet times into every day and make them a priority or we will never be thoughtful people!

Inadequacy is a complicated way of describing our simplicity.  Some of us may not know how to express our gratitude well, so we fail to do it at all!  I have enjoyed visiting memorials to Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln and being reminded of their gratefulness for their God and country.  The best examples, though, are found in the Psalms.  Read and study them, or even pray them back to God if you are at a loss for words.  Forsake forgetfulness and be grateful!