Guided thoughts no. 22

Elephants don't forget....have you heard that old adage?

Is it true?

Actually, it is!

Scientific studies have shown that they have remarkable memories. They are able to recognize members of their own herd, animals they've been acquainted with years earlier, and more!

Have you had the experience of Christmas shopping in a crowded store, and keeping track of a couple of kids and your spouse? Elephants can pick out their herd members and know when a stranger comes by....and there are sometimes thirty in the herd!

One elephant was shown to have remembered another that she had worked with in a circus, twenty years before they were re-united.

One of the best examples of their great memories is when the matriarchs of the herd recall and lead their clan to water holes many miles apart...and in drought situations, can remember where the water holes are that can still support life, while others are dried up.

What kind of memories do we have?
Do we hang on to the right things?
Old hurts, past insults, and other bad stuff? Throw those out!
God's promises, His interventions in our lives, His blessings? Hold on to those!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;    his love endures forever. Let Israel say:    “His love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say:    “His love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say:    “His love endures forever.” When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord;    he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.    What can mere mortals do to me?
The Lord is with me; he is my helper.    I look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the Lord    than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord    than to trust in princes. All the nations surrounded me,    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. They surrounded me on every side,    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down. They swarmed around me like bees,    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down. I was pushed back and about to fall,    but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my defense;    he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory    resound in the tents of the righteous:“The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!     The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;    the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” I will not die but live,    and will proclaim what the Lord has done.1The Lord has chastened me severely,    but he has not given me over to death. Open for me the gates of the righteous;    I will enter and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord    through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me;    you have become my salvation.
The stone the builders rejected    has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this,    and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day;    let us rejoice today and be glad. Lord, save us!    Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.    From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God,    and he has made his light shine on us.With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession    up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise you;    you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;    his love endures forever. (Psalm 118)

Let's never forget His blessings! Praise Him!