Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Saturday, March 12, 2011

Stones of Remembrance



Inheritance of past Godly generations that walked faithfully before God.


Joshua 4:4-7 - Joshua called out the twelve men whom he selected from the People of Israel, one man from each tribe. Joshua directed them, "Cross to the middle of the Jordan and take your place in front of the Chest of God, your God. Each of you heft a stone to your shoulder, a stone for each of the tribes of the People of Israel, so you'll have something later to mark the occasion. When your children ask you, 'What are these stones to you?' you'll say, 'The flow of the Jordan was stopped in front of the Chest of God as it crossed the Jordan -- stopped in its tracks. These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.'" (MSG)

I have been revisiting my stones of remembrance.  Those places throughout my life where I met God.  Standing on the edge of the waters that He parted, I can take my children down memory lane of His faithfulness.  I also prepare my heart to pass my memories of His faithfulness on to the next generation.  Recently I was asked to write out my testimony...that began the flow.  Later, I looked at the decor in my home...stones of remembrance.

  • My childhood years with Godly Parents - accepting Christ at the age of 5
  • My creative side, which was encouraged through my parents - sewing, high school photography, cross-stitching, painting, cooking and dance
  • My years of pregnancies - the doll's name is Fertile Mertyle 
  • My young years of motherhood - photo with our firstborn... after two miscarriages 
  • My dancing bear - reminder of my years of dance training- now it says "I Love You", a gift from my daughter
  • 27 years of dedicating myself to motherhood and the home
  • creative pursuits - smocking, cross-stitching, sewing, interior design business, painting, cooking -"home-making"
  • home schooling 22 years
  • marriage of 30 years to a Godly man, whom I met at the young age of 15
Sometimes it is just good for me to look back and see what I did accomplish.  I don't have a resume' an employer would desire, nor degrees to hang on the wall, but I have treasures.  Stones of Remembrance, that  will be eternal, mark my memories.  When I start to walk down paths of regret because the world offers up its list of successes for my age...well, I just walk through my house and nod, I chose what was right for me!  God knew we would need to recount His faithfulness.

I have worn alot of different hats, but the one I treasure the most is "daughter of the Most High God."  My Bible is marked with spiritual Stones of Remembrance. The pages are worn because each time I stood at edge of waters that seemed to want to drown me, God spoke through His word.  The waters parted and I walked to the other side, having placed my Stones of Remembrance on His ground of victory.

34 Joining in with more words:

Lisa said...

What a beautiful post, Janette! It's great we get to wear so many different hats in our lifetimes. We women can do it all...not always at the same time but in the same life. Have a wonderful (restful) weekend!

Cindy said...

I love this post. I have some of those stones myself.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

WOW Janette!! A huge loud HALLELUIA from down the road... this is such a beautiful reminder of God's faithfulness. It does us all good to see it and be reminded of our own journeys and how He has blessed us over and over!

You made me smile in celebration of your beautiful 'stones of remembrance'. :)

xo

Bethany said...

Lovely post. Thank youfor sharing who you are!

BARBIE said...

Beautiful post. You have a rich legacy in Christ. My legacy starts with me, as I am the only one in my birth family currently saved. So my husband and I are growing our legacy in Christ.

myletterstoemily said...

i love your stones and imagine each one
was heavy at different times. now they
look like trophies!

will you let us read your testimony some
time? you're such an inspiration to us.

have a wonderful weekend!

Diana Ferguson said...

Awesome!!!! Aren't we blessed?!

Sandy said...

Beautiful and inspiring post,
Janette. Being a wife and mother
is the greatest as far as I am
concerned, but daughter of the
Most High is best by far. I love
all your family pictures.
Hugs,
Sandy

laughwithusblog said...

Love this--the focus on eternal things!

Theresa said...

Beautiful, your post gave me the chills! What precious stones you have!

Farm Girl said...

Oh no way, I have Fertile Myrtle!!!
I have her in my doll cupboard. That is amazing and I love your list. It is one that needs to be posted somewhere so you can always see how far God has brought you in these years. So sweet, thanks for sharing, maybe we can get together someday and play dolls. :)

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Lea...I think I have covered my testimony on this blog...I started with my Mommy Piggy Tales, which states the first 15 years of walking with the Lord. Then there are parts of my testimony through different post, "Biological Clock", "God Hears" and "Bravo God" post...and the greatest part is each day and each week more is added to my testimony!
What an awesome God we serve and He isn't finished with me yet!

Kathleen said...

Such beautiful milestones! They are collections that adorn our hearts, if not our worlds.

Thank you for sharing yours.
Kathleen

Anonymous said...

Janette,

I think that the memories that you have upon your wall (e.g., the pictures of your family and other treasured things) are more valuable than a resume or college degrees. I have a few college degrees on my wall, and they don't mean much to me. They are simply "pieces of paper" and nothing more.

Therefore, be "proud" of those precious stones that you have, for they are irreplacable.

-Lady Rose

Sue said...

I have been so blessed by your stones of remembrance Janette. I see a very grateful heart here, it was so encouraging to me, I found not only stones of remembrance but stepping stones,I am awed at the way God is always nudging me along this pathway by friends like you. I am now challenged to review my stones of remembrance. Thank you for always inspiring me to reach a little higher.
Much love,
Sue

Rebecca said...

♥'n those stones, Janette. (I've got a few of my own!) Those stones in the OT were for sharing stories of the faithfulness of God when others asked -- just as you are doing!

Lorie said...

Beautiful, awesome, priceless. That describes this post and you. Blessings.

Finding Joy said...

What an enjoyable post.

Shanda said...

I loved this post. One thing that impressed me was your satisfaction in all God has given you and brought you through. I didn't hear any longing for more. Thank you for that portrayal of contentment!

Debbie said...

I love your stones Janette and have some similiar ones. Us moms who have dedicated our lives to the raising of our kids (and for me now my grandkids) and the keeping of our homes, HAVE indeed worn many different hats. But your soo right, the best one is the hat of daughter to the most high God. Have a wonderful Sunday! HUGS

Lemon Lane Studio said...

Oh Janette, what a beautiful post. My quiet time this morning had in Psalm 78 where the Psalmist is reminding the Israelites of all that God had done for them. What beautiful stones you (and all homemakers) have. What a lovely analogy. I will carry it with me all day.

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

A great entry and a real blessing to read. And, it evoked my memory to recall many "Stones of Remembrances" in my own life. He has been so faithful and I know He will continue to be, but it will always be in His time, not mine. Thanks for sharing your heart!

Deborah Ann said...

Wow! I read that scripture before, but I never thought to apply that to my life and think about my 'stones.'

Thank you, my friend. I can't wait to see what my stones are...

Debbie said...

This is one of my favorite of your posts. I like to think of my stones of remembrance, but I have never thought to gather things together and record it in a picture.

This is a really good idea.

The doll is Fertile Mrytle? That's so funny!!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Precious post and a precious life! Full of sweet and thankful memories!

Sharon said...

Janette - This was so beautiful. I loved your memories, and I loved how you likened them to a stone memorial. It is a good thing to look back and remember...

God is faithful...

And I also have opened my Bible countless times for a good Word - and God always gives me a blessing. He does indeed part the waters.

GOD BLESS!

Pamela said...

Oh, Janette, this is such a beautiful post. I, too, have stones of remembrances. Thank you for reminding me of them.

Angel @ Finding The Inspiring said...

I love love love this post! I love how you applied this scripture to your everyday life and reminded us all how important it is to gather our stones of remembrance.

And I was also moved that you embraced the value of your accomplishments (as we all should). The world might not recognize them, but God does.

Thank you for such a thoughtful and powerful post.

moreofhim said...

What an absolutely beautiful and amazing legacy!! It was a wonderful reminder for me today to look at the things I have been blessed with in my life and that my greatest blessing is my relationship with Jesus Christ! God has blessed my journey and had His guiding hand on me the whole way. Thank you for your reminder.

God bless you - Julie

Vee said...

Delightful post! I once heard of a lady who kept her children's graduation pictures place prominently on her bedroom wall. "These are my degrees," she would say. I agree!

Susannah said...

Beautiful Janette!!! I can relate to so much of what you have said here.

You have lived a blessed life, and you are no doubt the envy of many a woman who secretly would have preferred the kind of marriage and family you have to a successful career outside the home.

Anonymous said...

Janette,
Such a wonderful post. God's way is always the best way, as exemplified by your beautiful, priceless stones!

A multi-dimensional life said...

I love this Janette! Your beautiful accomplishments in all you have done and all that you have become and yes...the most prized hat of all is actually a crown...Princess, daughter of the King! God is also nodding as He smiles upon your life and the way you continue to honor him! He dances with joy with you and He delights in you!

Accepting Christ at the age of five is remarkable. Just thinking of the many lives you have touched since then and you will continue to touch going forward!

Precious...pricless!
Smiling! xo

Debbie Petras said...

I love your stones of remembrance Janette. I didn't realize you accepted Christ at such a young age. You've been walking with Him for many years and it shows. You are a light to others and you share the love of Jesus with many, including me. Thank you for that.

blessings and much love,
Debbie

Related Posts with Thumbnails