I’ve been feeling the pains of this life deluge me these last several months. And they seem to somehow be trying to simultaneously drown my memories of God’s provision and care. How quickly I forget the manner in which God has shown his trustworthiness—the numerous ways he has been tangible with his love.
Interestingly, throughout Scripture, especially in the Old Testament, we see story after story of the forgetfulness of God’s people. The presence of trials, distress, and sorrow seem to sink their memory of God’s work in their lives. Interestingly, we also see the Lord encouraging his people to establish memorials and monuments to help them remember—to help them recall his provision and care.
One instance, in particular, stands out to me. God had just caused the water of the Jordan river to stand and rise up in one heap while the Israelites were able to cross the riverbed on firm, dry ground. With such an incredible display of God’s power and care for his people it is hard to imagine they could ever forget. But God asked Joshua to lead his people to set up a monument of twelve stones; the monument was intended to remind them and future generations that “the hand of the Lord is mighty” (Joshua 4:24). God wanted them to remember his faithfulness. He knew that more trials, distress, and sorrow would befall his loved ones and he didn’t want them to forget his care. So they built a visible, tangible reminder.
I am realizing more and more the importance of memorials, monuments, and tributes to God’s faithfulness.
We forget. I forget.
Pain rises quickly in my life. A small trigger of heartache seems to gain rapid momentum as it touches every other heartache, forcefully flooding my mind. All of a sudden I am drowning in pain. Meanwhile, my hope, my joy, my faith, and my purpose scramble to stay grounded. I forget. I forget what God has done.
I need memorials. I need monuments. I need to be surrounded with gracious reminders of God’s faithfulness in my life. I need to recall that I serve a God who causes the waters to stand and rise up in one heap—I need to bear in mind that he will help me once again cross to dry ground.
So today, I build this monument of twelve stones.
_____
Do you have any “memorials” in your life that serve as reminders to God’s faithfulness?
Hi Christina,
I came across a poem that I thought i’d share with you
â?¥ I am the wind in your hair, with you everywhere
I am the stars in the sky and the sun up high â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
â?¥ I am the waves in the ocean, with your every emotion
I am the snow on the ground, I am all around â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
â?¥ I am the flowers in the meadow, wherever you go
I am the moon at night, please know I’m alright â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
â?¥ I am the bird’s sweet song, I am not gone
I am the blossom on a tree, you’ll never forget me â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
â?¥ I am the rain on your face, a rainbow’s embrace
I am the leaves on the ground, I’ll always be around â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
â?¥ I am the fluffy white clouds, innocent and pure
Look all around you, you’ll feel me I’m sure â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
â?¥ I am that warm loving feeling, deep in your heart
My memories live on, we’ll never be apart â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ * ~~ ** ~**
â?¥ I am all around you, in all that you see, hear and do
Just reach right out now, I am always here with you â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
unknown
Found this, thought id share
â?¥ I am the wind in your hair, with you everywhere
I am the stars in the sky and the sun up high â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
â?¥ I am the waves in the ocean, with your every emotion
I am the snow on the ground, I am all around â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
â?¥ I am the flowers in the meadow, wherever you go
I am the moon at night, please know I’m alright â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
â?¥ I am the bird’s sweet song, I am not gone
I am the blossom on a tree, you’ll never forget me â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
â?¥ I am the rain on your face, a rainbow’s embrace
I am the leaves on the ground, I’ll always be around â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
â?¥ I am the fluffy white clouds, innocent and pure
Look all around you, you’ll feel me I’m sure â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
â?¥ I am that warm loving feeling, deep in your heart
My memories live on, we’ll never be apart â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ * ~~ ** ~**
â?¥ I am all around you, in all that you see, hear and do
Just reach right out now, I am always here with you â?¥
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
unknown
I just got through reading your journal entry about the nasty comments left on a web site. I’m not sure what site this is however it was done. I too have experienced the hatred society has to offer. My cousin was in a bad car accident.The article was posted in several newspapers. Society began to comment in which some were just so horribly distasteful that I got very upset. I responded back to them however it was a lose lose situation for me. I proceeded to tell my family about these nasty comments and they told me to just ignore them. So I did. I do believe in Karma and the hatred that some individuals have will get them in the end. You have to remember God is around you and Judson. He is protecting you despite what is being said. Judson is a beautiful, smart, intelligent little boy in which I have grown to love just by watching his videos. You and your husband are such caring parents!! It is amazing!! Your story has inspired me and my family. I bought Judson’s book yesterday and cannot wait to ready it. Just remember, ignore the comments, you and God know the truth that is all that matters. No one judges you except for God! Your family is a blessing and don’t you ever forget that. You had your precious little boy for a few years and now he is with his protector. Chin up and remember all of the great memories your family shared. Much Love!!!
Traci
that was the site i found the video on. but i never noticed comments till you said something. it just shows how some people dwel and dont have the support of god to move forward, and how little they know and that our kids our mirror images of us:) be strong , u are!
Hello Chris. Beautiful! Just precious! Thank you for sharing. Yes, we have these type of reminders
Hello Chris.
I left a comment here days ago, came back now to check it, and see that only a few words of my entire message post???
I wrote about the beautiful angel statue we have in our yard, her light…Katalina’s light