Memories can surface when we least expect them. There are times we tuck them away knowing they have value, but you aren’t quite sure what it is until you need it the most.  My thoughts were swimming with thoughts of my boy.

I recalled the time following his birth. There were so many events that simply didn’t make sense.  For example when the Magi came to us bearing gifts fit for a king. I knew my Son was from God, but I had no idea that the world would also receive Him in the same way.

I learned the significance attached to their gifts.  The gold was a gift reserved for royalty – the frankincense was the sweet smelling fragrance offered to God – myrrh was used in as an embalming spice after death. Each of these gifts were reminders of why He was sent to us in the first place.

There was the visit to the temple to present my Son to God.  A sweet, elderly gentlemen was there to greet us as if he knew we were coming and had anticipated it for his entire life.  He spoke these words,

 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

When Simeon spoke these words, I didn’t understand them fully, but I stored them in my heart, because I knew they would give me peace some day.  Memories are like that.  Some we hide away because they’re too difficult to bear. but they resurface at just the right time to remind us of how God’s plan has worked in our past to bring about our future.

Each new event was preparing me for the fulfillment of that plan.