At 56, Michael often finds himself staring out the window of his living room, the oxygen tank right beside him. It’s a constant reminder of the life he never thought he’d have. The tank hisses softly, a quiet but insistent sound that breaks the otherwise peaceful silence of his home. He looks at his wife, Karen, across the room. She’s sitting in her favorite chair, lost in a book, but his eyes are distant. The years they spent building their life together seem to weigh on him more heavily than ever, and it’s not because of regret. It’s because of the sharp, bitter reality that the life he envisioned for him and his wife has slipped through his fingers like sand.
In his twenties, Michael was the kind of man who stood tall in a room. Handsome, muscular, the picture of strength and discipline. He was a military man—a man of duty, a man of action. But, like many young men full of fire, he also had a side to him that burned for adventure, and sometimes it was in all the wrong ways. A heartbreaker, women came and went, and he thought it was all a part of being a man. He was free, or at least that’s what he thought, but he was making reckless decisions, and in his eyes, that only seemed to make him more of a man. It was always about chasing the next thrill, the next challenge, the next moment of fun.
Then came Karen. She was different, and somehow, he knew it from the very first time they met. She didn’t ask for his attention, but she had it anyway. She saw beyond the tough exterior. She loved him—really loved him—and in a way, she softened him. Karen loved the Lord. Michael didn’t know it then, but she was the one who would teach him what real love is, and that it wasn’t something to be wasted.
They got married, and slowly, Michael began to change. No more late-night parties, and no more distractions. His heart was set on the future, on a life with Karen that would be free of regrets. They were on their grind, working hard, side by side, to build a home and raise a family. Michael started thinking about what life would look like when he could finally stop working. All those years of sacrifice, all those hours spent doing the hard work, all those sleepless nights worrying about how hard Karen was working and taking care of all of them selflessly. He resolved to keep grinding it out so they could retire in plenty of time to enjoy the adventures they had always talked about—the hiking trips, the camping in the mountains, the scuba diving in the Caribbean. They would travel, they would live fully, and they would enjoy every last bit of life they had left.
But those sweet dreams of golden years together began to crack and fade. Michael started smoking when he was just 12, and although he quit in his thirties, the smoking, the drinking, the reckless lifestyle—it all caught up to him. He felt the weight of it, felt his body betray him one breath at a time. Now, at 56, he struggles to catch his breath, feels the weight of every step as if the air itself is working against him. Chronic lung disease. An unforgiving companion that follows him everywhere.
His body was once a symbol of power and pride, but now feels like a prison. He’s angry, and although he prays with Karen and tries to put on a brave face for her, he feels that God has let him down. There are many of us that are dealing with challenges like Michael, and deep down, we feel the same way. But here’s what we must remember, God never forgets about us. In our struggles, when life doesn’t go as we expected and our bodies don’t serve us the way they once did, God’s love remains. His faithfulness does not depend on our strength or health. It’s in moments like these, when we’re tired and weary, that we must remind ourselves: “Don’t forget.”
The Bible has so many reminders for us to reflect on God’s goodness, even during our toughest seasons. In Psalm 103:2 (NLT), we are encouraged: “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” Michael, like many of us, faces the temptation to forget the countless ways God has shown up in his life—his marriage to Karen, the love they share, the provision God has given through the years. Despite the pain and disappointment, we are still commanded by our Heavenly Father to count our blessings, and to be very thankful for them all.
Even though Michael’s body has become a reminder of his past choices, God still sees him. In fact, the Bible says that God’s love is greater than any struggle we might face. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT) reminds us of this truth: “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
The struggles Michael faces are real, but they are also temporary. His body might be breaking down, but his spirit can still be renewed every day. This is the beauty of God’s grace—it doesn’t fade with time or wear down with age. God’s presence is everlasting, and His promises are true.
Remember the good. Even in the toughest of times, God has not abandoned us. Psalm 27:13-14 (NLT) says: “Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” These words are beautiful, and the hope they provide are a shining light. Yes, there are moments when life feels so heavy that we can hardly move; it’s when the dreams we once held seem like distant memories, but God’s goodness still shines through, even in the midst of our pain.
And even if we don’t see the answers right away, we can trust His timing, because our God cannot fail, and His timing is perfect. Michael might not be able to climb mountains like he dreamed of for so long, but he can still climb the mountains of faith. Isaiah 40:29-31 (NLT) assures us: “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Michael, like all of us, needs to be reminded that God is always and forever good, even when life doesn’t match our expectations. Our faith isn’t based on the absence of struggle but on the presence of a loving God who walks with us through every valley. Don’t forget how far He has brought you. Don’t forget the way He’s blessed you, the blessings you still have, and the grace He extends to you time and time again.
In the quiet moments, when the oxygen tank hisses and the weight of life feels too heavy, remember the times when God has been faithful. Remember the prayers answered, the quiet moments of peace He has given, and the big miracles as well as the small ones. As we grow older, we may lose some things, but we can never lose the love of God. He’s good all the time, and He will never fail us. Don’t forget. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Don’t Forget”, written by Rev. Fran Mack. Edits by Kim Times and K. Lizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.