Early in my career, my boss would often tell me, “No more today, Henry. My brain is full.” As a young man unencumbered by maturity’s burdens, I found his comments rather amusing. But the older I get, the more truthful his words become. Memories do seem to slowly fade as the cares and pressures of the present drown out the voices of the past. It is so easy to forget.
This is one reason I enjoy the month of May—it ushers in a special season of honor and remembrance as spring reaches full strength. We honor our mothers on Mother’s Day, remember our fallen heroes on Memorial Day, and then honor our fathers a few weeks later. It is surely a good thing to remember and thank God for our parents and those who fought to defend our nation’s freedoms. Without them, we would not be here today. It is important to recognize the blessing of their influence and sacrifice.
In similar ways, the ICR ministry has been greatly blessed by gifts made in honor or memory of loved ones. Such gifts are among the most personal expressions we receive and are usually accompanied by touching stories of the person and their love for our ministry. ICR is deeply humbled by these gifts, knowing that the donors made them with a great deal of thought and care.
Some gifts can be made in memory of loved ones long after the Lord has called them home. Others can be made to honor a living person who significantly impacted the donor’s life. In either case, gifts of honor and remembrance often produce a deep sense of connection—not only to the person being honored, but also to the ministry the gift will support.
We count it a sincere privilege to partner with supporters who wish to acknowledge a loved one. For memorial gifts, ICR will send a letter to the family with words of comfort and encouragement. For gifts in recognition of a special person, we would be delighted to send your designee a grateful letter informing them of your gift in their honor. ICR will provide a copy of all letters prepared on your behalf, along with our thanks and a tax-deductible receipt for your gift.
If this special gift program interests you, please provide ICR the following information—either in writing or online at ICR.org/donate—along with your gift:
- Name of the person you wish to honor (living) or remember (in glory)
- Their relationship to you
- Names and addresses of those you wish to be notified of your gift (amounts will not be mentioned)
- The relationship of those notified to the person being honored
It is good to remember loved ones who have gone on to glory and honor those whose lives have deeply touched ours. ICR stands ready to help. But most importantly, we must remember the One whose work and very Name established the greatest memorial of all. “I will remember the works of the LORD; surely I will remember Your wonders of old...and talk of your deeds” (Psalm 77:11-12). “But You, O LORD, shall endure forever, and the remembrance of Your name to all generations” (Psalm 102:12). Let us daily remember and honor the name of the Lord.
* Mr. Morris is Director of Donor Relations at the Institute for Creation Research.
