Oct122025
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Lasting Memories.

We find out that God likes to be thanked when the Samaritan alone returns to Jesus after his cure from leprosy. How do you show appreciation to God, who has everything? You create a lasting memory. The Samaritan leper had every reason to avoid Jewish men. Yet, he approaches Jesus, a Jewish man, gets on his knees, and thanks Him. The Samaritan created a lasting memory.

A Roman Centurion had every right to recruit a citizen into service. He could have ordered Jesus to go to his home and care for his dying servant, but he did not. Instead, he says, “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, just say the work and my servant will be healed.” The centurion created a lasting memory. In fact, we steal his words every time we prepare to approach the Lord in communion.

The sinful woman had every reason not to go into a room filled with righteous religious men. But she does so; she could wash Jesus’ feet with her tears and dry them with her hair. She created a lasting memory.

When Jesus told a Syrophoenician woman that it was not right to take the food of Children and throw it to the dogs, she had every right to leave him in anger. She could have reprimanded him for being harsh, but she didn’t. She said, “It is normal for the dogs to sit under the table and eat the scraps that fall from the kids’ plates.” She created a lasting memory.

Do you remember the full name of your great, great, grandmother? Do you remember significant things that she did? Think about that. One hundred years from now, no one will remember our names or what we did. Yet, today, while we are here, we have opportunities to create lasting memories. How do you create a lasting memory? Do something kind or offer a word that you would not normally do.

Last March, I had my teeth cleaned. When the hygienist was finished, I handed her an envelope and said, “This is your Christmas present. Sorry it is so late.” She was so surprised, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. So, she did a little of both.

Every day we have an opportunity to create a memory. If we do, a hundred years from now, someone very important will remember us.

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