Joshua is one of my favorite books. I say that, but I have a lot of “favorite” books of the Bible. If you are unfamiliar with the story, go back and read the first four chapters of Joshua. Just an incredible account of God’s leading of Joshua, the new leader of Israel, to take them over Jordan. Joshua courageously headed the command, and in the end, Joshua and all of Israel pass through an un-crossable river on dry land. In the midst of this, a representative of each tribe of Israel is to collect a stone and they placed them in Gilgal so that the next generation would see them and ask, “What mean these stones?” They were to tell the next generation what the Lord had done for them so that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever. So, there is this box in my in-laws garage. Two, actually. Both are filled with odd, seemingly unrelatable items. One of which is a reminder of Jack and my relationship. Gum wrappers, smores - items that might kill you if you ate them at this point- fortune cookie papers, notes and drawings... These things are meaningless to most, but to us, they hold great sentimental value. Someday, I can show Jaelynn and Jason and tell them about all the stories that are behind them. They are ‘small’ things that represented a deeper relationship together. Something physical we can look at that remind us of the times we shared together in the past, and the moments we can look forward to sharing in the future.
I’m very sentimental, so there is also another box. Some people may call it my blessing box, better yet, my box of “stones”. Cards, notes, items, or pictures. Some may not physically even be in the box, but I have a few items throughout our home, or things that I see often, that immediately bring a wave of emotion, remembering just what God did in my life through them. Among these is a brown Bible with the cover falling off. The pages are filled with sticky notes and scribbles. Those markings are mile markers through certain journeys of my life. It reminds me of the precious times I spent with Him as I was really beginning my own quiet time and learning to sit at His feet. They remind me of moments I desperately needed Him and could almost feel His presence; times I needed comfort and I was given just that. Those underlines in that Book remind me of the first time what I was reading was exactly what I needed and felt like it came alive. There are notes from messages that were written for my heart, and decisions that were made that would mold the course of my life. Cards of encouragement – even from those who have now passed. Some from teens, my bus kids, church members, and roommates. Pictures drawn by one of my “adopted sisters”. The one I prayed for and cried over thinking I wouldn’t be given little siblings. Short version of the story, I was told I got an elderly couple as my adopted family. Which I love older people, but I was really hoping for a young family, especially after leaving all my nieces and nephews behind. I was struggling with assurance that I was where I needed to be or if I could even survive college. There was a battle between what I knew and how I felt. Then lo and behold, walking down the aisle to meet this young freshman was a beautiful, dark haired, two-year old little girl (and four months later, her little brother would be born. Both of which would be in our wedding.) It was a comfort from the Lord to receive her and her family and just a reassurance that I was in the right place. (And they are one of the main reasons I tell every future heartland student NOT to request specific adopted parents!) There is a college diploma that I can look at and say, God did that. IT wasn’t me. It was by His grace I was able to grow, learn, and go through the college growing process. Deep heartbreak, grammar tutoring, Hebrews outlining, betrayal and forgiveness, and gaining social bearings. That piece of paper reminds me of some incredible times the Lord has walked me through. A deposit in college for $800 was made into my checking account. I didn’t make it. It was done in person through my bank. I even called the bank to make sure it wasn’t a mistake. It wasn’t. Someone had anonymously deposited money to pay off an unachievable financial mountain for me at the time. But it “just so happened” that that need was taken care of. HE provided. He always has. One of my favorites, a best friend necklace. I got them when I was like 11. There was a specific portion of railing at camp. MY spot. It got removed after my last year of camp. My first night on my first year, was hard. Every year, on the first evening, I would sit there and pray for the week and pray that the Lord would bring me a friend. Because I grew up with none. Years later, unknown to me, my future best friend would join me at that same spot. And then the next year, the same person told me “I love you” for the first time (I said “okay”... until a few years following). “Just so happened” I married my best friend. If you truly give your life to the Lord and His will, He will give you so much more than you ever ask for. There’s some tax papers. These once again reveal the incredible provision and care of my God. Moving out of our apartment in OKC to Olathe would have cost us 2K. Long, ridiculous story. It “just so happened” that a few months later, after we had saved all we could, lived off of canned hotdog chili and rice - which I never want to eat again- yet still not made much progress in coming up with the money. At our tax appointment, the accountant looked up at us and said, “looks like you’re getting back about $2,000”. Like, WHAT?! Even experiences that I NEVER want to relieve, those things are reminders of how good a God He is to see me through those times; moments where God’s grace saw me through. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, because we are here to tell the next generation of the goodness and works of the Lord. Telling them of His working in our lives and what He has done. This is why I write. This is why I am here. Because He is alive. He is real. He is ever present in the lives of His children. We shouldn’t live our lives always expecting to see and understand His working in our lives. His ways are higher than ours and we may never understand them, nor are we entitled to know. But God does work in visible ways as well if we recognize them for what they are. There can and should be physical examples of our faith. “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wonderous works. Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. Psalm 71.17-18. Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. Ps. 66.16 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. - Ps. 34.8 “We all have times in our lives where we are crossing Jordan. Times of trial, waiting, uncertainty... times when trusting the Lord requires so much faith it hurts; It’s scary. These are the times to begin collecting stones. Claim God’s promises and make them tangible in your life. That will look different for each of us, but the result will be the same. To remember not only that the Lord will carry us through, but what He is teaching us through those walls of water. Because those are lessons that are meant not only for us, but for those who go behind us. “ - Ashley Goetsch What stones do you have and hold to; those physical examples of God’s goodness. What stones could you tell others about?
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Lizzy parkerMarriage.
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January 2023
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