Strength from Remembering

Pictures. Plaques. Names on buildings. Scholarships. Not for profit funds. T-shirts. Jewelry. Trinkets. Flags. Statues. Magnets… We collect “things” that help us remember experiences or moments in time. They help us access parts of our memory that might otherwise be forgotten.

I have a theme t-shirt for my boys to wear for each of their birthdays. Someday, I’ll have LOTS of these t-shirts. When I do, I will ask my quilter friend to make a t-shirt quilt for me. I want to remember every single birthday of my children’s growth. The place, the gifts, the laughter, the smiles, the missing teeth, the floppy hair… those quilts will chronicle my memories of their time at home. I already mourn the completion of the quilt at the same time celebrating all of the life lived behind it.

 
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It can be hard to remember – both the good things and the crummy things. The strain of hard circumstances can consume our brain power and crowd out important details that might require higher order thinking than our gut emotions. In these moments, we need to access support for ourselves as we push forward to a brighter tomorrow. Oftentimes the sun will come out “tomorrow.” But sometimes “tomorrow” takes a while.

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I’ve discovered a way to wait for tomorrow that works for me. The Bible is clear about an approach used for the Israelites in the Old Testament. I think the practice of creating reminders of important life moments is good for anyone.

 

In the Old Testament God commanded the Israelites to build altars. Usually this amounted to a stack of rocks in a specific location that would remind anyone who passed by of what the Lord did in that place at some point in the past.

 

I’m not sure how that stack of rocks looked any different to the passer-byers than any other stack of rocks (maybe there weren’t any “normal” stacks of rock in the Middle East at that time, which set these apart?). Without paper or signage, I don’t know how this stack of rocks told of what the Lord did either. Any writing material back then couldn’t have weathered the elements, so it may have signaled SOMETHING. But how would the passer-byers know THE THING the Lord did? So many questions in my mind about this process…

 
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The principle is still good though. A method to remember things the Lord has done has become a life practice of mine. I started this practice when my husband’s income dropped 50%. Our expenses were high, and I couldn’t do anything to help anything. Each month we should have fallen far short of our budget. Yet, each month, there was enough money to cover our needs. Sometimes there was even enough for the occasional extra spend like a birthday party or gifts for a kiddo. I noticed how miraculous this proved to be after the first few times and I decided I needed a way to remember it.

 

So, I wrote it on a chalkboard and put it on the wall. It’s based on the verse Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” The Stephanie version of this verse read “Some trust in starts and some in health, but the Smiths trust in the name of the Lord our God.” See, “starts” are the term used to describe a “sale” in my husband’s company and is the structure under which he was paid. He wasn’t making much even though he was promoted. My health was in shambles and we didn’t know what each day was going to bring; we feared for my life. This chalkboard on my wall reminded me daily that I cannot trust in these things that normally constitute our stability. Instead, I should trust in Him. I intended for that chalkboard to be erased and new “altars” to be written on it over time. It’s been 5 years and the same Stephanie version of Psalm 20:7 remains on that chalkboard. At this point, I suppose it will always be like that.

 
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Over the years, I created more wall hangings for significant moments to remember His provision and movement in our lives. I chose wall hangings because our whole family is reminded by their presence. I wanted something we could all participate in and that I could point to and teach our children. These “altars” hang all around our home reminding us of the provision of the Lord.

 

I’ll ask you… what do you need to remember when things get really tough in your life? Do you need to remember a miraculous time when you thought all was broken but it was restored instead? Do you need to remember a time when you were anxious but realized things turned out better than you thought they would? Do you need to remember your own strength and courage when life demands more of you than you think you have in you to give?

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Do something for yourself to remember. I purchased a cross necklace the night I was diagnosed correctly for my food issues. When my heart falters I wear it. I purchased a leather bracelet stamped with “don’t give up” on the day I was diagnosed with my second issue, this was just a few months ago. Some days I need the encouragement to keep pushing and the necklace/bracelet serve as reminders.

 

My hobby business making hand painted wooden signs and canvases was born of this idea of altars. I’ve made hundreds of signs; a few are listed on Etsy under my shop Journey’s Whispers. I love the stories I’ve heard over the years of how significant the saying, verse, or word is for the family as they live life together.

 
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Hanging inspiring and true words around us is a way to help us stay focused on the right things so that we can do the right things better. Think for yourself about what would serve you. Always know, He is caring for you as you walk your hard road. Remember the successes and draw strength from it in the next thing.

 
 

blessings,

 
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Stephanie SmithComment