How do we keep the stories of God’s faithfulness before our children? How can we steward a life of gratitude in an age of entitlement? What would be a fun project to do as a family that would be meaningful and even beautiful to display in your home? Stones of Remembrance.
Remembering God’s Faithfulness
Can you think of a time in your life when God provided for you or your family in a way that was powerful or even miraculous? Can you think of a time you were going through a real test and God helped you through it? It is so important to remember these times and speak them out often to build your faith as well as encourage faith in others.
Multi-Generational Faithfulness
Passing along our faith is extremely important, especially in this day and age when there are so many things vying for our children’s attention. If we don’t teach our children how or what to think, someone else will fill that vacuum. It is not the job of the school system or even the youth pastor to disciple and train our children. God gave that privilege to parents (family). Sure, others can help us in our task, as it does take a village to raise a child, but leading and guiding their hearts is up to mom and dad.
Psalm 78: 5-7 implores parents to be the guardians of the stories of God’s faithfulness. “For He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments…”
All throughout the Old Testament, people built stone alters to remember the faithful acts of God so that they could pass their stories on to their children and grandchildren. If the stories did not get passed down, they were forgotten. Ultimately, if forgotten, then the lessons taught through them were also lost in history. Knowing our history gives us our sense of identity and belonging. These stories belong to your heritage. These are your stones of remembrance.
Israel Defeats Amalek
Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”
Exodus 17:8-16
Stones of Rememberance Family Activity
As a family, consider finding a bowl for your memory stones that you can fill with all the testimonies of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and provision throughout the year. Plus get in touch with your inner artist. What better way to combat the entitlement bug than to constantly be looking for ways God is moving and breathing in and around your family?
Find smooth stones that you can paint, or purchase them on Amazon, or at your local craft store. Write a word or testimony on each stone to place in the bowl. You can get as simple or creative as you like.
We did this as an activity with some families we were coaching in our Wealth with God online community. This is also an activity I highlight in the Wealth with God family curriculum I wrote. Interestingly, it was our most popular activity apart from the coloring pages. If you are interested in learning more about this powerful family curriculum, check it out here.
Creating Traditions
At the end of the year, maybe as a fun New Year’s Eve tradition, you can pull out the stones and go around the room recalling all the stories of His faithfulness. What a way to end the year with thanksgiving. As you become more aware of God’s faithfulness, you will begin to see Him move more in your life. Watch as those tests you experienced, become the testimonies written on your memory stones.
Shop This Post:
You can purchase smooth stones on Amazon or your nearest hobby store as well as acrylic paints, and pens to decorate them with. Here are a few suggestions that we purchased:
Capcouriers Rocks for Painting 12
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Paint Pens for Rock Painting
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Paint Pens for Rock Painting, Stone, Pebbles, Ceramic, Glass, Wood. Set of 15 Acrylic Paint Markers Extra-Fine Tip 0.7mm.
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Other Fun Family Activities:
In everything you do -eat, play, and, love- may it always be Seasoned with Joy!
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