Picking Up Pebbles...

God created mankind in his own image, but when sin was introduced at the fall of mankind, all things changed and we lost our ability to remember as God remembers. God knows our minds are full of daily distractions and it is all too easy to forget the miraculous things he has done in our lives.


In Joshua chapter four, God had just demonstrated an awesome miracle of power before his children, drying up the waters of the Jordan just as he had done with Moses and the Red Sea. God had given land and authority to Joshua and to the Israelites; he had conquered nations to demonstrate his power and love for his children; seemingly impossible tasks from a human perspective, but God overcame those tasks.


God opened up the waters of the Jordan, allowing his children to pass freely with the Ark of the Covenant and without harm. God wanted his children to remember these things, and knowing how easy it is for our fallen human minds to forget, God commanded his people through Joshua to build a memorial of stones and pebbles so that generations to come might remember what God had done.


What "stone" memorials of God's power and love can you look back on in your life? What miracles have you forgotten about? Think back on a time when God did something powerful in your life, and place a pebble there in your heart to remember his goodness, his power and his love. A friend of mine collects pebbles of remembrance for each time God has done a mighty work. Perhaps this might be a good tradition for us all to begin to keep.


As I reflect on the many seemingly impossible barriers before us as we continue on this journey of faith, some physical and some spiritual, I can see how God has orchestrated all things together for his purpose, his timing and for his glory.


As I write this, Tiffany and I have only a few short days with our family and loved ones in the United States. I am grateful for this time. God has allowed us this time, which is a true gift in itself. I take up a spiritual pebble in my heart and will remember these days, weeks, months that God has demonstrated his power and love for us over and over again.


Be blessed, dear family and friends, and remember to always stop long enough to pick up a pebble and remember what God has done.


We love you all!