Altars of Remembrance

"In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, 'What do these stones mean?' tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. 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 4:21b-24

I have a photo that I keep on my computer of a drawing that our cardiologist drew of my son’s heart that shows what it looked like before God’s healing touch and after God’s healing touch. From those photos you see what doctors agree is a miracle; a difference that only God could perform without surgery. I keep these pictures and the actual drawings at home as a reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness. Those drawings have also served as “Altars of remembrance” for our family. When family and friends have looked at the drawings and asked, “What is that?” we are able to say, “Well, let us tell you about the great things that the Lord has done!”

Throughout scripture, we see stones laid, altars built, not to worship the stones or altars, but to worship the God who performed an act worth remembering from generation to generation.

Many years ago, I created an altar box. In this box there are keys, letters, copies of checks, envelopes, etc. that I will treasure forever. Over the years, I have returned to this box, especially in times of need, or discouragement and poured over its contents. As I do so, I am encouraged and reminded that God is able to do “exceeding, abundantly above all we are able to ask or think!” (Ephesians 3:20)

As you journey with the Lord and as He answers prayer, provides for your needs, surprises you with His goodness, write it down, save the “envelope” and put it in a container, a safe place and when you are in the desert of life, open it up and see the faithful hand of God in your life. In the harvest times, the good times when your children or your friends ask, “what is that”, take a moment and bring them to the “altar” and share with them what God has done for you.