Jan 10, 2012

Why Scrapbook?

I believe that scrapbooking is a way of remembering the goodness God has brought into our lives. Whether you are a teenager remembering special events, friends,  and family gatherings,  or if you are a woman newly married, or one who is beginning a family, counting our blessings is therapy indeed. There are always going to be others around us who are able to do more, have more,etc ....., and if we keep our hearts and eyes stayed on what we do not have, our hearts and minds can be burdened. Instead, by keeping focused on what God has done in our lives, we are reminded of his goodness to us and the many blessings that surround us all, big and small.

If you are a mother or grandmother~what are you writing and recording for the generations to come? We must not think only for today but we must remember that generations will follow us. As parents, we have the awesome mandate from God to pass on His ways, not only to our children, but to our children's children and to their children. In this day of easy communication by telephone, e-mail, or texting, we can often delay putting pen to paper or pictures to paper. When you write down memories or scrapbook your memories, you are creating a permanent record.  People can re-read what you have written or re-live the memories and moments that you have put into your scrapbook.
Many mothers keep special baby books to write down all the little things their children say. I regret that during the time my babies were babies, I often felt overwhelmed with just getting through the day. While I cannot go back, I can go forward and try to create keepsakes for them of how many of the days of their lives were spent. I am realizing too quickly that as the years go on, the memory fades. It is important to capture it on film and on paper.
As we as mothers seek to make precious memories for our families, let us remember that the most important thing we can do is point them back to the goodness of God. His word tells us "I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old". Deuteronomy 32:7. In Exodus 17:14 "The Lord said unto Moses, write this for a memorial in a book". Numbers 33:2 "Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the Lord".  Psalm 102:18 says "This shall be written for the generations to come".
What are some of the special things you want your children to remember. Most parents I know love to make a special celebration on their children's birthdays, Jesus's birthday, Easter with extended family,summer vacations, etc. Realize that by taking pictures and then putting those pictures into scrapbooks, you allow your family to relive those special moments and people in their lives over and over.

Much of the information listed here came from a great bible study I did called The Power of Motherhood, what the bible says about Mothers by Nancy Campbell. When I read it, it really hit home that scrapbooking is more than just a hobby, but rather a special way of remembering for my family and generations to come. I hope this has inspired you as well.