Some days feel like a blur. We wake up, check things off the list, and tumble into bed without much thought to what the hours held. But then there are days, like the one I just lived, where memory-making takes center stage. Breakfast chatter, a rainy morning view of the Remarkables, and spontaneous laughter over dinner with family may not look like much from the outside, but in hindsight, these are the threads that hold life together.
What struck me is how intentional memory-making is. It doesn’t just happen, it’s cultivated. God often met His people in the rhythms of their days and asked them to build markers, stones of remembrance, so they wouldn’t forget His faithfulness. “That this may be a sign among you… so that this will be a memorial to the children of Israel forever” (Joshua 4:6-7). Memory-making, then, isn’t just nostalgia, it’s ministry.
Writer Anne Lamott once said, “Joy is the best makeup.” When I think about that, I realize that memories made in joy are what give our lives their glow. They soften our rough edges, brighten the hard seasons, and remind us that God’s goodness is still running through our days.
The Gift of Presence
Our day started in the quiet hum of routine. Breakfasts made, laughter shared, errands run, and yes, the occasional chaos of kids bouncing between rooms. But even these moments carried weight. Being present with my family wasn’t just an activity; it was an offering. Presence is often the most undervalued gift we give to one another.
Author Henri Nouwen wrote, “We are called to be bread for each other, broken, shared, and given.” That’s what presence feels like: giving ourselves away in simple acts, whether by making someone breakfast, listening to their stories, or watching a silly cartoon together. None of it looks extraordinary, but all of it leaves an imprint.
Remembering Through Joy
Our road trip to Arrowtown, Wanaka, and Cardrona was filled with laughter, scenic stops, and camera shutters snapping away. Photos became more than proof of where we were, they were memory anchors. Later, when I look at them, I won’t just remember the snowcapped peaks or the iconic Wanaka tree. I’ll remember the way my grandniece squealed with delight, the way we teased each other, and how my heart swelled at the sound of family voices carried in the air.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 reminds us: “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” Joyful memory-making is holy ground; it’s a way of honoring the God who delights in seeing His children enjoy life.
Making Memories That Matter
At dinner, after a day of photos, road trips, and laughter, we ended the night watching BTS videos and a hilarious “zombie episode” of Run BTS. My grandniece might not understand yet, but these shared moments, silly, lighthearted, full of joy, are forming memories that she’ll carry. The sacred doesn’t always look like solemn prayer or scripture study. Sometimes it looks like laughter echoing through the living room.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, “Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.” What if memory-making is how we rehearse for eternity? The joy we cultivate now is a glimpse of the joy waiting for us on the other side.
Soul Insights
1. Presence Is Priceless
Time spent with people you love is never wasted. Even when nothing “productive” seems to happen, you are building invisible bridges of trust and love that outlast the moment. Showing up fully, without distraction, is how presence becomes a sacred gift.
2. Small Joys Create Lasting Memories
The memories we treasure often come from small, unplanned joys: a shared laugh, a photo stop, a silly video. They remind us that joy doesn’t have to be manufactured; it can be received freely as we walk through ordinary days.
3. Memories Anchor Us Spiritually
Like the stones of remembrance in Joshua, memories serve as reminders of God’s faithfulness. Looking back on joyful times doesn’t just warm the heart, it strengthens the spirit by showing us that God has been with us all along.
4. Joy Is a Ministry
When we choose to cultivate joy in our relationships, we minister to others. We lighten their burdens, remind them of beauty, and create a safe place for hope. Joy spreads quietly but powerfully.
5. Memory-Making Is Eternal Work
What feels fleeting today will echo in eternity. Every shared meal, kind word, or photo snapped in love carries eternal weight. Memory-making is not frivolous, it’s eternal rehearsal for the joy of heaven.
Final Thoughts
As I look back on that day, I see more than a road trip, dinner, or family time. I see a ministry unfolding in the most ordinary spaces. Memory-making is not about perfection but about presence, choosing to see the sacred in the laughter, the scenery, the food, and even the messy moments in between.
When I think of it this way, I realize memory-making is more than something we stumble into, it’s something we are called to. Every ordinary moment is an invitation to plant seeds of joy, gratitude, and togetherness that will keep bearing fruit long after the day is gone.
Your Turn
What memories are you making today? This week, choose one ordinary moment, whether it’s a walk with a friend, a phone call with family, or dinner around the table and treat it like holy ground. Take a photo if you want, but more importantly, take notice. Be present. Let your joy become someone’s reminder of God’s goodness.
© 2025 Amelie Chambord
Soul Path Insights 
Leave a comment