Marking Moments

by Jennifer Hastings

My family has a favorite river spot nestled in the beautiful Tennessee Valley, where we love to spend a Saturday. My husband trout fishes, while my oldest catches minnows and anything she can swoop up in her net. The middle one lounges with me, and my youngest makes racetracks for his Hot Wheels cars out of the rocks and mud. We all have our favorite activities at the river, but all of us like to collect rocks. We look for the most unusual ones or how many different state shapes we can find. Everyone keeps their favorite gem on a shelf at home.

Now that you know about my fascination with rocks and stones, you will see why God grabbed my attention with this story. When Moses died, God tasked Joshua with leading his people into the promised land. God provided Joshua with specific directions for moving forward with the Ark of the Covenant. The priest marched ahead of the Israelites carrying the ark and stepped into the Jordan River. The moment their feet hit the water, all the water piled up in a heap a great distance downstream, and the Israelites were able to pass through. When all the people made it to the other side, the Lord asked Joshua to get one person from each tribe to collect stones from the bottom of the riverbed. Joshua 4:21 says, “In the future, when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’”

God asked members of each tribe to collect stones from the bottom and bring them to the other side. I could not help but think of my little jar. God marked the moment for the Israelites with stones! Every time they walked by the Jordan, they were to see those stones and remember how God moved on their behalf. Not only does God perform mighty works on our behalf, He knows how our hearts work. He knows we are sheep who are prone to wandering and forgetting. There is a lesson in this story for us. After God moves a river out of your way, answers prayer, or reveals a new insight to you, stop and find a way to create a visual reminder of His love for you.

Not only did God want the Israelites to remember His miracle, but God had the next generation in His heart and plan too. Those stones were to be a conversation starter for the Israelites’ children who were not even born yet. Kids are naturally curious. Maybe they would run ahead, play, and climb on the rocks while walking to the river. Asking questions like, “How did these rocks get here?” and “Where did these come from?” God provided an opportunity to share His love with children. Parents, we have the same

job and opportunity today. We might not be walking to the riverbank with our kids every day, but the next time your child begins talking in the car asking all sorts of questions, try weaving the love of God into your answers. Share with your children how God is answering your prayers. When you see God moving in their life, help them to mark the moment with a stone.

Joshua 4:24, “He did all 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.”

Mark your God moments.

About The Author Jennifer Hastings and her husband, Stewart live in Rocky Face with their three children. She works for Dalton Public Schools as a curriculum specialist. You can check out their blog at thatsthewayweseeit.com.