Today’s moment is the third in a series of brief meditations I’ve created based on my new book, Sacred Margins: On the Spiritual Life of a Writer. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

The transcript of the video is below. If you cannot see the video, click through to our website or to YouTube, where you can view it.

The book itself will be released on May 19th in paperback, ebook, and audio formats. You can preorder the book here: https://amzn.to/3P5jVj8.

The first episode, “Why the Margins Are Sacred,” can be found on the series YouTube channel; click this link. (Subscribe when you visit to get early access to new episodes as they are uploaded.)

Transcript:

Today’s episode is called “Why Memory Is Holy Ground.”

We usually think of memory as something private.

Personal.

Sentimental.

But Scripture treats memory very differently.

In the Bible, remembering is a sacred act.

“Remember the deeds of the Lord,” Psalm 77 verse 11.
“My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you,” Psalm 42 verse 6.

Memory is not just recalling what happened.

It is recognizing where God was present—even when we did not see Him at the time.

The past does not disappear.

But it can be redeemed.

For the writer, memory becomes holy ground.

A place where joy and sorrow alike are brought before God.

Nothing in your past is wasted.

Not the joy.
Not the confusion.
Not even the pain.

In God’s hands, memory is not a prison.

It is a place of transformation.

A place where all can be redeemed and transformed into meaningful words.

Thank you for listening.
Until next time—write faithfully.