What Mean These Stones?

I am a very sentimental person – for that reason I find myself doing certain things, holding on to certain possessions, and even practicing traditions that some would consider silly or frivolous. “Why?” you might ask and this morning in my Bible reading I found an answer that helped to see why these things might mean so much to me.

“And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.” Joshua 4:5-7

Throughout the Bible we see the Lord commanding certain things to be done “as a memorial” or in some cases as proof of wonderful and miraculous things that happened for the next generation to behold and therefore believe.

I am not by any means a hoarder, but I can’t throw away a card written to me by my loved ones. I have a files of drawings and notes from our kids when they were young – I have baby books for each of my children that hold my “young mother” memories, pictures, and statistics of their growth and speech patterns – they are all so precious to me.

For me, writing the Tender Touch is a way to leave something for my kids – a glimpse of my heart and how the Lord speaks to me…hope you all don’t mind my sharing in this way – but I have heard that once something is on the “net” it never goes away! So here is a list of "stones" that you can leave for your children in time to come.

1. Write your prayer requests, and then mark the date when they’re answered! This weekend while cleaning and re-organizing my husband found a prayer sheet from the time we knew the Lord wanted us to plant Lighthouse Baptist Church in Oakdale. We had listed specific items – church meeting place, financial needs, size and rent for home, etc. about 14 items – and in every case the Lord gave us exactly what we prayed for – or more!
2. Tell your kids and grandkids stories about your life growing up and memories of your heart – when you’re gone they will become more precious.
3. Take lots of pictures and label them – date, time, occasion (you’ll forget otherwise)
4. If you have things that carry sentimental value – tell your kids what they mean to you, and why.
5. Write your kids notes. Keep a diary of sorts for them for after you’re gone.

This past Christmas a dear lady in our church gave me a journal for a mom to leave for her kids. Her mom passed away a few years ago and she said that anytime she finds anything her mom wrote it is so precious – so she gave it to me to leave for my children. Of course there are many things that people do to remember their loved ones, but I believe that writing is one of the best “stones” we can leave for our children.

The Lord gave us His Word; remember He first wrote the commandments on the two tables of stones, as His love letter to us. Through His written Word we have many great and precious promises; we have the truth, answers to life's questions, the place learn wisdom, knowlege, success, prosperity, and most importantly a way to know Him and the way He has provided our salvation.

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” I John 5:13

“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” I John 1:4