Be Not Forgetful

Reading:   Genesis 40-41

How often do we forget those that assist us in our daily troubles.  There are times when great calamity befalls us and we are overcome with gratitude for those that put forth their time and energy to help; but for those little things - we simply forget.  I was inspired today by a simple verse...

GENESIS 41:9

9    Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: 

This guy, the chief butler, was imprisoned for a time with Joseph (Joseph was locked up for his debacle with Potiphar's wife - he bolted from temptation and did nothing with the woman but she, angry because Joseph would not sleep with her, told her husband that he had come in unto her and "mocked" her.  Potiphar had Joseph locked up).  The butler was troubled by a dream that he could not understand and Joseph said, "...do not interpretations belong to God (41:8)."  He then, through the power of God, interpreted the dream.  All Joseph asked was that the butler not forget him.

GENESIS 40:23

23    Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. 

A kindness given, the butler I'm sure was pleased with the interpretation, and, because it was a relatively small matter, he makes no effort to remember Joseph for the help.  Sometime later the Pharaoh is troubled with dreams that no one can adequately explain and the butler - insert mental smack here - recalls Joseph, "...I do remember my faults this day."  The butler tells the troubled Pharaoh about Joseph, the dream interpreter, Joseph is released, he interprets Pharaoh's dream and the rest is history.

There are some bigger, more meaningful, more relevant scriptures that I could have chosen today but I simply did not want to forget the little things that make life livable - gratitude.  Think back on your day, there has to be some little kindnesses that you have forgotten, be thankful and by-all-means, pay it forward!

~Kipling