Doug Creamer: Anniversary | Salisbury Submit

Doug Creamer: Anniversary

Published 2:00 am Saturday, August 8, 2026

We all rejoice anniversaries of assorted varieties. The most typical we take into consideration is a marriage anniversary. We rejoice the anniversary of our annual journey across the solar, which we discuss with as our birthday. We just lately celebrated the 250th anniversary of our nation on July 4th. Our nation commemorates the anniversaries of D-Day and Pearl Harbor day.

The anniversary that I’ve been enthusiastic about for the previous week is the anniversary of my Dad’s passing, which was August the 4th of final yr. It’s arduous to imagine {that a} yr slipped by so shortly. I’ve been enthusiastic about the occasions that led as much as his passing and what I used to be doing.

There have been a few events quickly after his passing that I picked up my telephone to name him. It is an odd feeling to comprehend that somebody essential in your life is not there. My Dad learn my columns and in his youthful years, he was confrontational concerning the content material. In his later years, I seemed ahead to his e mail responses as a result of he provided extra constructive suggestions and his questions led to extra open-ended discussions.

I discover it fascinating how typically I take into consideration my Dad. Unpleasant reminiscences have softened with time. I discover myself savoring the nice reminiscences. One factor I’ve achieved quite a few occasions is marvel what Dad was doing when he was my age. Then I’d take into consideration what age I used to be when he was my present age. I’d attempt to keep in mind what was happening in my life. It is unusual how our minds work.

Some say time heals all wounds. When we lose family members, I’m studying that point doesn’t heal these wounds. Certainly, the day-to-day emotions can ease with time, however there are nonetheless sudden moments once we keep in mind and really feel the loss. An odd one got here this yr round Father’s Day. I used to be strolling by means of one retailer and so they had a show in the midst of the aisle with Father’s Day items, which actually didn’t hassle me. But that they had put some playing cards on the show and there was an ideal card sitting entrance and middle. My Dad beloved to golf and this card was among the finest {golfing} Father’s Day playing cards I’ve ever seen. The feelings that stirred caught me off guard.

So anniversaries come as reminders of each great issues that we rejoice and generally painful issues that we don’t wish to keep in mind. One anniversary that all of us appear to take pleasure in celebrating annually is the approaching of our Lord…Christmas. Sometime within the subsequent two months, retailers will start stocking issues to rejoice Christmas. I’m not prepared for that! We additionally keep in mind the anniversary of our Lord’s crucifixion on Good Friday and rejoice His resurrection on Easter Sunday. Many church buildings rejoice and keep in mind the arrival of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday.

We rejoice our birthdays, however do you keep in mind your religious birthday? Our religious birthday is the day we accepted Jesus as our savior. I’ve fond reminiscences of the day I accepted Jesus as my savior, however I have no idea the date. It was summer season and I used to be younger. I keep in mind the church and the circumstances and might see all of it in my thoughts. It was a special occasion that I take pleasure in reflecting on from my previous.

Our minds can work for us in each constructive and unfavorable methods. We can keep in mind dangerous issues that occurred in our lives, moments we want by no means occurred. Those sorts of reminiscences I want would fade for all of us. We may keep in mind the nice issues, particularly the spiritually good moments in our lives. Maybe we went to a convention, heard a particular speaker, loved some stunning music or had a particular second with the Lord. These are issues we should always mirror on, reminiscences we should always ponder and revel in. Moments we grew or made modifications in our lives are essential to rejoice and keep in mind.

I wish to encourage you to spend just a few moments reflecting again in your religious life. Remember your development. Remember your victories. Remember making it by means of the arduous occasions. Remember the revelations. Remember the verses which can be particular to you. Remember your rebirth and baptism. God desires you to rejoice these anniversaries…these moments whenever you overcame and located victories. Why? There are nonetheless challenges forward for all of us and we have to keep in mind how God got here by means of for us up to now to see ourselves overcoming our present circumstances. Remember how He got here by means of for you up to now, He will come by means of for you once more…belief Him!

Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041 or [email protected].