You’ve heard the expression “pictures in my mind,” haven’t you?  Some pictures are magnificent and others not so glorious. Many pictures stay in your minds forever, and others fade away, at least slightly.

I have many pictures of Ron. Our first date, meeting each other at the Hinsdale train station when we were dating. One of being out to dinner with family for our engagement, of our wedding , of years of ministry, and of the professional photograph taken while we worked for Faith For Today. They are all treasures. So are the family pictures and of Ron with great grandchildren. Yes, they are still pictures in my mind. And so are the ones of his years of failing from Parkinson’s and age.

I do not choose to torture myself of pictures of his failing, except for the 50^th anniversary, when he was still able to walk. I have a huge picture of him in my living room – the professional one. So handsome he was! I look at it every day and smile and get a twinge of tearful loneliness. I’m sure I shall NEVER forget him and our precious 57 years together.

Pictures that remain, albeit thankfully fading some, are of his last few months. They were not taken with a camera but remain in my mind. They do help to remind me that he is no longer suffering, and that makes me grateful!

What are the pictures in your mind? Are they of happy times? Are they of abuses received, are they of past, precious friends? Are they of Jesus? I have one that I cherish, painted and sent to me when Ron passed to his rest. It is reminiscent of the 23^rd Psalm and of the Bible text given to me at the time of Ron’s greatest suffering. It is of Jesus who has rescued a lamb from drowning, and has the lamb wrapped around his shoulders, with its head on Jesus’ chest. The text is found in Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV):

“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”

Concentrate on the pictures in your mind that are positive, that hang on your wall, ones that are treasures. Therefore, it is so important to guard our hearts and minds from the TV filth or negative memories. Heal the bad memories and concentrate on the good.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. (Philippians 4:8,  NIV)

In your most difficult hours, picture yourself as the lamb resting on Jesus’ shoulders – near to and IN the heart of God.

Nancy