"The Practice of Remembering does something no other book I have seen dares to do. It explores the importance of memory in our spiritual formation. Our experiences, memories, and stories form a script that influences our lives in deep ways. This beautifully written, honest book is full of much-needed wisdom. Prepare to be changed." – James Bryan Smith, author of The Good and Beautiful God

Christianity Today Award of Merit

Your Memories Are More Important Than You Think

You carry whispers deep within you—experiences, events, messages you heard throughout your childhood, the designs and desires of your life, and the highs and lows of your relationships and inner world. You hold memories of being loved or ignored, encouraged or discouraged. These memories journey with you. They're your companions, your constant friends. This is the fabric of your everyday life.

These memories shape every decision you make, every action you take. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself—why do you do what you do, in the way that you do it? Why not choose differently?

In The Practice of Remembering, Casey Tygrett shows us that how we hold and carry our memories—both good and bad—is a part of what forms us spiritually. Previously titled As I Recall, this book explores the power of memory and offers biblical texts and practices to guide us in bringing our memories to God for spiritualtransformation.

The Practice of Remembering includes spiritual practices like



- narrating a memory,

- writing a spiritual autobiography,

- the examen for memories,

- writing your own Psalm,

- andmore.

When it comes to our engagement with God and our formation around the life and teachings of Jesus, our memories come with us; they help make us. Without memory, there is no formation, whether those memories are joyful and treasured, ambiguous and circumstantial, or traumatic. We are God's memory-made beings. Discover how your memories have formed you with The Practice of Remembering.



Marlena Graves is Assistant Professor of Spiritual Formation at Northeastern Seminary on the campus of Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, NY. She has written five books, two of which were award-winning, and over two hundred articles for outlets including Christianity Today, Relevant, Sojourners, The Christian Century, and more. She has held pastoral positions at several churches. She and her husband Shawn have three daughters.







Casey Tygrett (DMin, Lincoln Christian Seminary) is a theologian in residence at Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park, Illinois. He previously served as teaching pastor at Heartland Community Church and has taught at Lincoln Christian University and Seminary and Emmanuel Christian Seminary. Casey now oversees the spiritual direction practice for Soul Care, hosts the Restlessness Is a Gift Podcast, and is the author of Becoming Curious and The Gift of Restlessness.



Foreword by Marlena Graves



Introduction: A Question Before Remembering

1. How We Got Here

Practice: Narrating a Memory

2. The Art of Noticing Shells

Practice: Journaling

3. Living with Shells

Practice: Staging a Memory

4. The Weight of Shells

Pause

5. Every Memory Belongs

Practice: Writing A Spiritual Autobiography

6. Remembering Who We Are

Practice: Finding Sabbath Rest

7. Coming Back Again

Practice: The Examen for Memories

8. I've Felt Like This Before

Practice: Writing Your Own Psalm

9. A Familiar Table

Practice: Opening Your Table

10. Remember, Be Here Now

Pause

11. A Future Memory

Pause

12. A Closing Post-It Note



Acknowledgments

Notes