A Place of Remembrance

Vacation. Just the sound of it can bring refreshment in the anticipation of all it will bring. 

My social media feeds have been filled with beautiful photos of friends in Hawaii, Aruba, Greece and Paris. Amazing experiences I’m sure! 

This past week I had the privilege of vacationing with my family in a tiny (think 6’ 2” ceilings!) and cute cottage on the grounds of Alton Bay Christian Conference Center, on the shores of beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee.  This seasonal cottage was simple, but clean and sweet and had everything we needed to meet our needs. 

Our daily excursions were not extravagant. Coffee on the front porch and donuts from the local Mom and Pop shop. Mornings hiking or visiting extended family, afternoons spent on the beach~ digging in the sand and swimming (looking out for the snapping turtle that has made its home under the dock this year.) Boating in the early evening or playing board games at night. A cookout with dear friends, antiquing and a trip to the arcade. 

Because it was the fourth of July we enjoyed fireworks over the Bay; their booms resonating off the surrounding mountains while the brilliant colors lit up the sky. Cousins filled the hill with us, as the smallest family members ran up and down, and rolled down the hill with their glow stick necklaces and eyeglasses helping us identify their location. 

Each and every one of these moments was precious and holds a new space in my heart. I came home with a heart that was just overjoyed. 

Yet, amid all these sweet moments, one stood out amongst the rest. 

On Sunday evening, before the rest of my family arrived, I attended an evening service in the chapel. The songs were sung in brilliant 4 part harmony and reminded me of my youth.  Standing in this same building with family, long since passed, singing the same praises to our Savior.  

As I contemplated on this experience all week I kept asking the Lord why this particular vacation week was filling my spirit so sweetly. 

I believe it is because He calls us to remember. 

Remember Who He is. Remember His greatness. Remember His faithfulness. 

When Moses was visited by Yahweh at the Burning Bush it was said he would be remembered throughout all generations.

Exodus 3:14 & 15 (ESV) God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”  God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord,[b] the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 

For me, Alton Bay is a place of remembrance. 

I remember sitting with my parents in the Tabernacle each summer as the Gospel was preached in Word and song. 

I remember attending VBS in a storm~ dressed in garbage bags as rain gear~ and hearing the stories of Jesus.

I remember as a young girl of ten giving my heart to Jesus around a campfire on these grounds. 

I remember learning to serve Him with my gift of music at SPAM Camp. 

I remember telling of His goodness as I served as a counselor to many young ladies at Camp Advenchur. 

I remember generations of my family enjoying the fireworks, then worshipping together in song and remembering God’s faithfulness. 

And in remembering, I was able to connect not just to the past, but to the future as well. 

There’s something powerful in remembering. It anchors our faith,  and reminds us that God’s goodness and faithfulness is for generation to generation. 

All praise to Him!