We observe, we talk, and we remember. We remember what was done, what was said, and what happened.

How we choose to view our past informs our future. We can sit down and frown. We can talk about how life isn’t fair.

We can wonder, “Why is this happening?”

We can comfort one another and recount all that we learned from the bad, and all the blessings that have been poured out upon us.

America creates memorials to remember the great sacrifices of our military men and women and the great works of past leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abraham Lincoln.

I like to remember my milestones and celebrate how God has used those milestones for good.

We have memorials throughout my house. We have a mezuzah on our front doorpost to remind us that we should love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. We also have a cross by the front door.

When I take my shower, I see a kite in the bathroom window. It reminds me that on January 1, 2011, I ran on the beach flying a kite – impossible with the fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue that I suffered with for over a decade (about 15 years).

That kite reminds me that God took the pain and depression I suffered and refined my relationship with Him, with Keith (my husband), and with others. That kite reminds me of the need to surrender my will and my body completely to God. That kite reminds me that God gave me much more than my request to be miraculously healed on November 21, 2010. He gave me more of Him and more abundant life than I could have ever imagined.

Four Reasons to Create Memorials in Your Home

Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, “that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones [mean] to you?’ Joshua 4:4-6

The Israelites were about to take Jericho, but first, they had to cross the Jordan River. God parted the river, and about 40,000 men crossed the river on dry land.

Impossible! With God, all things are possible.

Something to tell their children about in addition to God providing manna from heaven and water from a rock.

So, they set up a memorial – 12 stones from the middle of the river.

1. Memorials remind God’s people how He has worked in their lives. In addition to the stone memorial by the Jordan River, God established the Passover Feast as a memorial to remind the Israelites how He brought them out of slavery and Egypt.
2. Memorials prompt children and others to ask what they mean – a teaching tool – a curiosity prompter, Joshua 4:6
3. Memorials worship and honor Jesus. Wherever the Gospel is preached, Jesus promises that His anointing for burial by the woman in Simon the leper’s home will be told. Mark 4:9
   Jesus established a memorial celebrating His great sacrifice on the cross.
   “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19
4. Memorials honor God. Our prayers and gifts become memorials before God, Acts 10:4. When I notice the mezuzah, I pause and put my hand on it and recite the verse. Could that honor God? When I see the kite and pause, I thank God for His healing.

Do you have memorials in your home?
If so, please share what they are  and what they mean to you
in the comment section.

My prayer

Our dear Father in heaven, we honor You and thank You for all that You have done in our lives. Show us how to memorialize Your works, so that they will prompt us to pause and remember what You have done. Cause our memorials to create curiosity in our children, grandchildren, and visitors, so that they ask what they mean. We love You, Lord, and thank You for working all things for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose, whether we perceive them to be bad or good. Help us train our minds to ask what we have to learn from our experiences and to choose to look at all things as ways we can grow in our relationship with You. Lord, bless Your readers and give them a blessed 2018. Amen