Rocks Of Remembrance

"... the Lord said to Joshua, 
“Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan... to serve as a sign among you.  These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.  He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”
Joshua 4: 1-3,6,7, 24


It has been my personal discipline as the year comes to a close to find a quiet spot with my journal to spend time with God in remembrance.

God calls us to remember.  

Yet, He also knows how prone we are to forget.

God directed Joshua to take some visual reminders to help them recall His faithfulness.  The Lord sent them to pick up stones as a symbol of His intervention on their behalf when they safely crossed through the Jordan.  



He knows that when trouble comes our way we are prone to worry and panic instead of trust in Him.  We fail to recall the times that God has carried us through to the other side.

Symbolic stones prompt us to remember the hand of God in our lives.

The stones are a powerful mechanism to share our story with others of what God has done in our lives.

Recording His faithfulness helps us to be attentive and live with gratitude for the everyday display of His wonder in our lives.


May I encourage you to join me and carve out some time to remember.


What are your personal rocks of remembrance from this past year?


Take a few moments to quiet your mind and heart.

Do not force the memories or worry if nothing comes to your mind right away.

Ask God's help to remember. 


Feel free to use this prayer along with me


Father, 

Thank you for the precious gift of your Holy Spirit that you sent to teach us and bring all things that we need into remembrance.    

Bring to mind the ordinary wonders, answered prayers, provisions, protection, as well as your miraculous acts.  Help us to also see the blessings and gifts from some of the difficult and painful experiences we have lived through this past year.  Remind us of the ways in which You have made Yourself known.

Have mercy on us for the ways in which we failed to acknowledge or recognize your hand in our lives.  Forgive us for the times we have taken undeserved credit for what you have done on our behalf.  Forgive us for being afraid and anxious instead of trusting and recalling Your faithfulness.

Help us to remember who you are, not just what you "do" for us.

Thank you for Your faithfulness and that you are fully trustworthy.
  
Thank you for choosing to reveal and make yourself known to us.

In the powerful name of Your Son, Jesus

Amen



As you record your own Rocks of Remembrance consider...

Ways that God has revealed Himself anew to you this year (protector, healer, strength, provider, comforter...)

Answers to Prayer

Unique ways God provided for you, perhaps someone unexpected came along to help in a time of need 

Times this year where you saw evidence of His hand of protection

Unexpected gifts that came your way

As the memories surface, simply record each act of remembrance.

Remember there is no act too small.

If you have a physical item that tells your unique story of His faithfulness this year, go ahead and get it.  Put it out on display in your home or your office.  A place where you will walk by it every day, see it and remember His power.  Find a place where others may be curious and ask what that item is.  You can then take the opportunity to use that symbol in your home, car or office to tell God's story of His faithfulness in your life.

You can always go back and add items to your rocks of remembrance if something comes to mind later on.

Before you leave this sacred time of remembrance with God - do not forget to give Him praise and thanks for who He is and what He has done. 


A few of my own rocks of remembrance from 2016 ...

You have revealed your wonder, creativity, and beauty to me












You have been my present help to comfort and uphold me through those difficult moments this past year


My niece's engagement (hula hula girl) & our new addition to the family - welcome Matt!



The Christmas Light Engagement - So Happy For You Both ~  Love You!


Family - love, laughter, memories, and protection


The healing and health of my sister in law and nephews


Provision of new opportunities and ventures this past year for Ken


For unexpected beautiful new friendships 


Memories of our travels together



Ken taking in the Giant's Causeway

Legends of Kylemore Abbey


Blarney Castle Knitted Tree Gardens


Lookout at the top of Yeats Tower


Autograph Tree - GB Shaw, Yeats  - Coole Park - Gort


Sampling at the Cheese Factory


Riding the Canal together in Amsterdam




  •  For helping me to live awake in You Lord.  I'm so grateful for all of you who have chosen to stop by and journey together with me at arils and castles. 






May God continue to reveal Himself to you
May He bless and keep you
 May His face shine upon you
 throughout this upcoming new year!




 







Comments

  1. Happy New Year my writer friend! Thank you for your faithfulness in sharing the gift of your thoughts in writing, and your beautiful photographs.

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  2. Thank you Belinda and a very happy new year to you and Paul and the family. You have been such an incredible encouragement, inspiration and blessing in my life.

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