Legendary Yankees’ shortstop, Derek Jeter, will have his #2 jersey retired on Sunday night in front of the home crowd. He’ll be remembered for his clutchness and leadership demonstrated throughout the 20 seasons he played in New York – including five World Series wins.  

Before being honored, Jeter made these interesting comments when interviewed by the YES Network:

“Someone asked me recently, do I have any regrets in my career? My last season, I kept a journal; every day I’d write something in there. The one regret I do have is that I wish I would’ve done that my entire career, because there are so many things that you forget.

“Still to this day I haven’t looked at it. It’s locked up and I haven’t looked. I’m going to be a father soon, so I’m sure one day when I sit down with my kid — or kids, if there’s multiple — I’ll get a chance to reflect and maybe brag like my dad used to do when I was younger.”

I have personally found immense value in journal writing, and understand what Jeter is saying since the practice has been very rewarding in my own life.

But beyond the idea of writing things down in order to brag to our kids, I think the more important reason for recording what goes on in our lives is to document God’s faithfulness and goodness.

As followers of Jesus, it’s crucial to recollect what He has done in us and through us over the years. That way we can look back and see how far we’ve come and recognize the wonderful work of God. Our faith and love for God deepen as we recall His power and miracles from the past.

We are told in Psalm 77:11 (NLT), “But then I recall all You have done, O Lord; I remember Your wonderful deeds of long ago.”

The story of Joshua in the Old Testament is a notable example of remembrance, as stones were used as a memorial to remind future generations of the significant work of God.

Joshua 4:21-24 (NLT) recounts, “Then Joshua said to the Israelites, ‘In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’

‘For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and He kept it dry until you were all across, just as He did at the Red Sea when He dried it up until we had all crossed over.

‘He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.’”

In sports, teams and leagues do a tremendous job of remembering and recognizing the greats with jersey retirements, plaques, and statues.

Today, let’s ask ourselves, what we are doing to reflect on and remind us of God’s goodness and faithfulness. Do our keepsakes and memories point to our own accomplishments…or do they humbly show us God’s power working in our lives?

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when I pause to remember all that You’ve done, I’m blown away! Please help me not to forget those moments where You came through and revealed Yourself in such amazing ways. I pray that I recollect Your power and the faithfulness You’ve shown me in the past, so that I can be encouraged to face what I’m dealing with today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.