Remembrances

Our Lord, I will remember the things you have done, your miracles of long ago. Psalm 77:11

On Valentine’s Day 25 years ago, I asked my wife, Danette, to marry me. A couple weeks ago, in thinking back to that time, I took a journey into our attic in search of an item from that day, a bird cage. Yes, I used a bird cage with a pet rock in my proposal. Much to my delight, I found the cage with all the items still in it and took a photo. Seeing that piece of memorabilia, a wave of memories came rushing into my mind of that day and time in our lives. Danette and I relived it when I shared the photo with her.  

One of my most prized possessions is a photo scrapbook that my mother created for me with pictures and details about my life from the day I was born until I graduated college. Every time I pull it out to find a certain photo or spend time reminiscing, lots of memories flood my mind of fun and major events in my life that helped to shape who I am today. 

Taking time out to remember events in life, both the good and the bad, can be therapeutic and refreshing, especially when we do this in light of how God has and is working in our lives. Acknowledging God’s presence and design in our lives in the past and present helps us to know that He really does exist and cares for us. This allows us to see where and how the Lord has worked in our lives up to this point. Reflecting on the past is especially important during the really tough times. 

Read  chapter 4 of Joshua. When the Israelites were about to cross the Jordan River into Canaan, the Promised Land, the waters receded so they could cross over and carry the Ark of the Covenant with them on dry land, just as their ancestors had done when crossing the Red Sea. Joshua instructed the twelve tribes of Israel each to gather a stone as they crossed the river. Once they had passed through the river bed, they took the stones and built a memorial to God and a reminder of His power and presence in their lives.

I love the last verse which says, “so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” Henry Blackaby, one of my heroes of the faith, shares this in his study, Experiencing God, “Spiritual memory is crucial in the Christian life. Do you vividly recall times when you know God spoke to you? It would be tragic if, in your haste to advance in your Christian faith, you neglected to leave spiritual markers at the key crossroads of your life. Without the help of these markers, you will lose your spiritual bearings.” 

Call to Action

Grab a pen and paper or your computer and spend some time writing your memorials, or as Henry referred to them, your spiritual markers; those times the Lord has worked in your life. Can you remember when you prayed to make Christ your Lord and Savior? Can you remember when you were baptized? Was there a time you experienced a significant worship or camp experience? Were there times when God provided in a mighty way? This exercise will help you realize just how much He loves and provides for you and His faithfulness. This exercise will spur you on in your walk.

Now that you have thought through and maybe even recorded these experiences, which one(s) will you share with someone who is looking and longing? Your life-changing encounter with God can also be one for another person, but not if you do not share it. 

Dig Deeper

To read two additional examples in Scripture where people took stones and made memorials, check out Genesis 28:10-22 and 1 Samuel 7:7-12.

Prayer

Pray over your list of memorials and thank God for His plan and provision in your life. Ask Him to help you trust Him with your future and to give you courage and boldness to share Him. Then, challenge yourself to look to the future with great expectation of what He is going to do.

Copyright © 2025 Kyle Cravens