I'm adding new rocks to our Jordan River Stones today...

Is that why the Israelites keep recounting their past-- to trust God for their future? Remembering is an act of thanksgiving, this turn of the heart over time's shoulder to see all the long way His arms have carried.

~Ann Voskamp

This is not a new idea... (it's actually quite old).

Nor is it my idea... (it's actually one that God thought up).

But we've piled up "Jordan River Stones" for many years now.

The idea comes from Joshua 4 where God told the Israelites to:

"Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone...that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them that the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord...so these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever...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." ~Joshua 4: 5,6,7&24

So whenever something happens that reminds us of God's love or provision or power, we write it down on a stone to help us remember to-- not forget.

Because it's so easy to forget-- His goodness. His faithfulness. His power. His love.

And the kiddos do ask-- "What do those stones mean to you?"

Some rocks remind of big things-- healing, financial provision, a new birth...

Some seem small-- like the time our Laura prayed we would find an American Girl doll at a garage sale. Even after I made several, faithless attempts to fill her with doubt. God answered her prayer that day because He knew it would show her 7-year-old-heart something special about who He is and His love for her.

I see that rock and remember our young daughter dumping her small bag of change into the lady's money box and I think, "His lovingkindness is great toward us..." ~Psalm 117:2.

I look back over these rocks of rememberance as I add a new one today...

...praising Him for the way He gives us concrete evidence of His love.

I want to remember.

"But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;His mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning;great is (His) faithfulness."~Lam. 3:21

~Kara @

The Chuppies