"Don't Forget"

Amazing to me, how forgetful, you see,

I am ‘bout things I know,

And strangely then, my mental spin,

To justify it so.

I blame my age and sometimes gauge,

My confusion in the room,

By Mom’s decline, she lost her mind,

But I really can’t assume,

I am the same, this mental game,

It’s real I will admit,

First names go, though faces show,

But my thoughts seem to quit.

I lose my keys and ask God please,

To help me in the search,

But they’re right here and let’s be clear,

My words don’t sound like church.

Forgot to call, I should’ve y’all,

But somehow I lost track,

Days went by and it’s no lie,

Attention-span I lack.

I seem to doze, my eyes will close,

When I get still and warm,

My mind goes blank and feelings tank,

At night it’s quite the norm.

Okay, old son, but you’re not done,

I hear it from my friends,

And I agree, but still I see,

That all I do depends,

On focus, nothing bogus,

But alert and careful thought,

Lord, help me and have mercy,

To do just what I ought.

And Lord, I know, that here below,

There’s pills to keep joints limber,

And I’m sure, there’s mental cure,

But I just can’t remember.

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13-14, NLT)

Paul said that he “forgot” the past. But did he, really? As brilliant as Paul was, I doubt it. So what did he mean by this testimony? I believe he meant that he did not allow his history to determine his destiny. He did not live in yesterday’s blessings or problems but stayed focused on his spiritual goal. This is good advice for all of us. Far too many get bogged down by regrets, “what-ifs,” and “if-onlys.” But there is no hope for a better yesterday. Learn from it, value it, but move on from it.

Lord, help us focus on what matters most, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Owen, used by permission. Thanks, and God bless.