Stones of Rememberance
Joshua 4:21-22 New International Version (NIV)
21 He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’
Read: Joshua 4:1-24
They line our roads and highways. They call us to stop and remember the past. Roadside historical markers line our drives throughout America. Some people have argued over the wording while others drive past them and never have stopped to read one. From Missouri to the Pacific Ocean a series of historical markers commemorate the journey of Lewis and Clark. These markers were placed as a remembrance of what had occurred in the past and inspiration for others on their own journeys in life.
In the fourth chapter of Joshua we find another story of remembrance The people of Israel had been on a long and difficult journey waiting to enter the promised land. God parts the Jordan river and the people were instructed to build a memorial. They are told to take twelve stones from the river and stack them as a memorial. The purpose was to remind the people and their children of all God had done for them. These stones acted much like a roadside historical marker does today.
On July 7, 2018 my son and I hiked up Mount Konocti in California together. Bryce had requested the climb months prior to the trip. This resulted in months of walking and training for the climb. As I was preparing, I was also preparing for the words I wanted to say to him during this long hike. This was the summer before his senior year and I wanted to look back on the life we shared and give him words to remember as he headed off into his life as an adult. On the hike we talked about the past, faith, and his life ahead. As we climbed out on the highest peaks for breathtaking views, I noticed something near my feet. Sticking out from under another rock was a smooth stone. On one side was painted a mountain scene which seemed to represent Mount Konocti. The real surprise occurred when I turned the rock over. On the other side was painted a single large tree. It resembled the big tree that Bryce and I repeatedly visited back home in Missouri. We discussed how the rock seemed to symbolize our two worlds of California and Missouri. We were dumbfounded by the odds of randomly finding such a rock 2,000 miles away from our home on top of a volcano. I told Bryce that I would always keep that stone as a way of remembering our time together.
Five months later, I would be clinging to that stone again.This time mourning the loss of my son. As a father I had meant to create an experience for my son that he would always remember. The hike was a way of reflecting on our journey and sharing my love for my son. I had no idea that I was not the only father at work that day. God was using stone as a way for me to remember not only my love for my son but God’s love for me.He had made sure that we would find that stone. God was not surprised at the events that would occur five months after our hike. My Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to remember our whole journey together. Sometimes it takes a stone of remembrance to soften the hardened heart of grief.
