Stones of Remembrance: Cultivating a Living Memory of Experiencing God

"Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, 'What do these stones mean to you?'... So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever." ~ Joshua 4:6-7

The command after the Israelites pass through the Jordan River is set up stones. 

To set up visceral, physical objects that reminded them of when their feet passed through the river on dry ground. 

So that when their children asked what are these stones, they could give them the story. 

We set up stones to remember an experience. It's not about the facts or theology of the event but communicating what it felt like, the state of your heart and how in that moment you could not imagine ever thinking that God was not good or for you. 

It cultivates a level of faith through remembering. I know who God is, I have seen His power that is able to be continual present.

A rich tradition of memory that is visible and tangible.

In Saint Augustine's Confessions he writes on memory.

I have found my God who is absolute truth, and once I have learned that I did not forget it. That is why you have dwelt in my memory ever since I learned to know you and there it is that I find you when I remember and delight in you. These are my holy delights and they are your gift to me, for in your mercy you look gracious upon my poverty. 

In remembering, we re-experience the truth of God's gifts in our lives. Not just the facts but what it felt like to see and experience God and know that He is able. He is faithful. He is merciful. He is good.

We see more of Him when we look back. More of His hand working all things together for our good and His glory.

And in our hearts our faith, our gratitude, our joy in Christ grows. 

Our affections are stirred. 

At the end of each year, we take time to reflect and record the experiences, the events of the past year. We record these moments on stones lest we forget God's hand in the big and small moments that make up our lives. 

Sometimes there are monumental, life altering stones laid. A life is given to Christ.

We remember the experiences that shaped us. Not just learning to read this year, but learning in order to experience the living and active words of God. A memory of persevering to know Him more.

And there are smaller stones that remind us not to take for granted God's hand in the little joys that fill our hearts with gratitude. The gift of relationship. A granddad to fish with, to talk with... a legacy being passed down.

Before going to our stones of remembrance box, we watch an eagerly anticipated highlight video of photos that capture our favorite moments and major events from the past year. In less than 10 minutes special memories are visually cemented in our minds and hearts. iPhoto makes this project fairly simple since it can categorize photos by date. I skim through my library and pick a few from each month. Add some of our favorite songs from this year's iTunes library, a theme, and a bit of text. A fun way to help us remember the many blessing in our lives and praise God for His gifts, big and small.