Stack the Stones

We are heading into my favorite season…FALL! It just gives me all the feels. From the smells, to the cozy foods, the sunny skies and cool crisp air, and of course the fun activities. If you’re like me, because I love fall so much, I try and cram in as much fun as we possibly can to make memories. I live my life by the motto, my children’s childhood is my motherhood, and I do my best to ensure that it’s filled with cherished memories. While this is motivating and with good intention, it can also dangerous, feeling like it’s up to me to make sure all the things happen.

As I was filling in the calendar, I started to get overwhelmed, how are we going to fit all of these things in with our busy normal schedule?? And then I got to thinking… maybe it’s not about making the fall bucket list and checking each thing off, but being more intentional about one or two things, and passing down family traditions. Traditions are about remembering. Remembering what we did prior and looking forward to the years to come. Isn’t that what Jesus tells us to do?? Continue to remind ourselves of all he has done! “That’s what Psalms 105:5 says,” Remember the wondrous works that he has done…” So this year, before I get held up on making the picture perfect fall memories, I’m going focus on creating traditions that can be passed down of what we don’t want to forget. When Israel crossed the Jordan, God instructed them to set up stones as a memorial.

Joshua 4:6-7  reads “to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” He did this not because the stones were special or valuable, but it gave the next generation the reason to ask “why?” Why are these stones here and what do they mean? The traditions that we choose to create with our families are our memorial stones. Something that in the future our kids can look back on and reflect where we were, how God has brought us through, and what is yet to come.

All this to say, it’s important to remember. Not just to remember for the sake of nostalgia,  but because remembering God’s faithfulness shapes how we live today and what we pass on. So this fall as you and your families are making memories, pause and reflect what you ate passing on.