I recently read an article in our Baptist paper. The author has been writing stories, events or people in the Bible that he finds amusing. This particular one was on Mary and Joseph forgetting Jesus in the temple and how he sometimes forgets things. I guess I took a personal interest because I seem to be forgetting things more and more as I continue my quest of getting older.

I forget where I put my car keys or billfold at least once a week. Seems like I am always looking for a book I have been reading. Luckily I have a calendar on my phone and keep important appointments or events on it. The phone even has an alert that will sound 30 minutes to an hour before the scheduled event. It is pretty awesome… if you remember to set the alert to go off. AND the phone calendar does no good if you can’t remember where you put your phone!

I have forgotten a few appointments. Along with that I have forgotten kids’ birthdays or their anniversaries as well as those of other friends or family members. Other things I have forgotten have been travel items (comb, toothbrush and toothpaste or deodorant) a computer at church or maybe a memory stick in my office and even where I parked the truck at Wal-Mart. But, hands down, the worst thing I ever forgotten was my youngest child at church.

Jessica was probably five or six at the time. Her mom had a chemo treatment earlier in the week, and I took the kids to church with me on a Wednesday evening.

Now before you judge me, please understand that as Pastor my schedule is already busy with a ga-jillion things to do even before I get to the church. My mind is usually reeling from the moment I get through the doors until I get home to the recliner.

This particular evening had been no exception. I dropped the kids off at their proper locations. Lauren went to the Youth Department, Corey went to the Older Children and buddied up with his friends while Jessica went to the Younger Children’s area. She found her teacher and some friends and went on her merry way.

When church was over, I had a meeting and then had to talk to a couple of leaders about church stuff before I could leave. I got to the car, opened the door and told the kids to get in, it was time to go. Baths had to be taken, homework had to be finished and bedtimes were fast approaching. Heard the doors slam and I left the parking lot.

The older two kids were in the back just talking non-stop (as usual). I was just focusing on driving the four blocks home. Once home the kids ran inside, and I followed slowly behind thinking something was not right. As I entered the house momma bear was taking roll call and the first thing out of her mouth was “Where is Jessica?”

“Hmmm, I don’t know, wasn’t she…” I did not even finish the sentence as I knew I messed up…BIG! I turned around and walked out the door saying, “I’ll be right back.” And with that being said I got back in the car and went back to the church.

As I drove up in the parking lot there was Jessica, waiting with some of my friends and members knowing I was probably on my way back. Jessica, big crocodile tears, lip quivering said, “Daddy, you forgot me!” “Yeah, but I came back,” was my thought not vocalized. It had only been about 10-15 minutes. How bad could it be?

All I will say to that is ask her mom. Made for a great bedtime discussion. It was kind of like, “You had one job and…” She talked and I listened!

The older kids thought it was fantastic. I always wondered why they never said a word, even after we got home they never said, “Dad, you forgot Jessica?” Jessica still, to this day, will not let me forget the night I forgot her at church. I don’t think it hurt her or scarred her psyche in any way.

I do wonder how that discussion between Mary and Joseph went on the journey back to Jerusalem to find Jesus. He was 12 and that would be considered almost a man while Jessica was only six. Jesus was there for a couple of days, and Jessica was there only 15 minutes with people she knew (and a few friends). I mean it was not like I was doing the Hannah and Samuel thing (leaving for life).

What’s my point to all this? Well, we have all forgotten things and maybe even children. But, through all of this I am reminded that God has not forgotten. He even says, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Deut. 31:6) This means to me he will not forget you. He even knows the numbers of hairs on your head! That is pretty reassuring considering I can’t even remember where… where I was going with the next thought for this article. God is always there, even when we forget.

Looking for the e-mail address to send this, Bro. Tim