And A Cherry On Top

And a Cherry on Top

Be careful not to forget the LORD. . . . You must fear the LORD your God and serve him.

Deuteronomy 6:12-13

President Ronald Reagan once told a story about an elderly couple getting ready for bed one night.

The wife said, “Oh, I am so hungry for ice cream, and there isn’t any in the house.”

And the husband said, “I’ll get some.”

She said, “You’re a dear. Vanilla with chocolate sauce.” And she added, “Write it down, honey, or you’ll forget.”

He said defensively, “I won’t forget.”

Then she said, “With some whipped cream on it.”

And he said, “Vanilla with chocolate sauce and some whipped cream. Got it.”

“And a cherry on top. Please write it down,” she said, “because I know you’ll forget. Your memory is just not what it once was.”

He reiterated, “I won’t forget. Vanilla with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry on top.” And away he went to the store.

By the time he got back, the wife was already in bed, reading her book and waiting patiently for him to return.

So he handed the paper bag to her, smiling. She opened it, and there was a ham sandwich.

She said, “I told you to write it down—you forgot the mustard!”

I can relate to that story. Some days my memory works great, but other days I have to work hard to call up people’s names, events from the past, or details about my work that I cannot afford to lose. Still, when all is said and done, the most important thing for us to remember in this life is God. If we remember him, fear him, and serve him, whatever else we forget is incidental.

Dear Lord, thank you for always remembering me and protecting me. Please help me to keep my mind focused on you and to never forget to praise and worship you. Amen.