Revisiting the Ebenezer
With a terrible mess from Hurricane Helene in FL, GA, SC and NC, and the entire world seeming to spin out of control, I’ve been thinking about a previous newspaper column I wrote and thought it may be a good idea to revisit my backyard Ebenezer. Here’s an updated version.
There’s a pile of rocks in my backyard that are sometimes arranged neatly or often jumbled. My youngest son has an artistic eye and comes home to balance them like a tower or piles them into a mound.
The bottom rocks were cleared from my great-grandparents’ fields in North Alabama. As a young couple, they endured a serious theft that threatened their farm and, years later, suffered through the loss of a daughter. God brought them through these situations, and they lived beautiful lives. Pieces of white marble from my husband’s grandfather’s hometown in Italy are placed on the stack to remind us of how he came to America under difficult circumstances but, through God’s help, learned English and started a successful business.
Other rocks are placed on the pile to remind us of times when God helped us through rough situations. A heart shaped rock (which has since been lost in a hurricane) reminded us of how I made it through two heart procedures and have never had one second of trouble since. A chunk of concrete stands in for a rock and came from a work building we desperately needed, yet thought we’d never have. We found it at just the right time.
In Samuel 7, Samuel sets up a similar memorial to remind him how God led him to defeat the Philistines. He called it his Ebenezer. Our backyard version isn’t an altar or idol of any sort, but it’s a reminder that generation after generation, God has seen us through tough times before, and he can do it again.
Isn’t it amazing how time after time God can work miracles in our lives and pull us out of terrible messes, yet we still panic when faced with new trials? I don’t know if we’ll ever learn. War? Elections? Storms? Economy? Sickness? Crime? Career moves? When I sit and look at this pile of stones, I think, “Don’t forget. He’s taken care of our family before and hasn’t changed since. Have faith. It will all be okay, and then we can add another stone to this, Ebenezer.” So, a little book launch with another storm in the Gulf? A Bookstore anxiously awaiting a shipment of books? Am I worried? Nope. Excited? Oh-my-goodness-YES!
Click to enlarge the hymn, because you know you’re already humming it.
The area where I live along the Gulf Coast has seen many hurricanes, but the aftermath of Hurricane Helene looks so awful, my heart breaks for them. Our community is sending shipments of supplies as we are able. I hope their Ebenezer stones will someday tell the story of God’s faithfulness to them during this stressful time.
There are many good resources to help with hurricane relief. Samaritan’s Purse is one of my favorite and trusted sites.
I am sitting here in tears. I needed this reminder so much tonight! I found your blog post via Linda’s link-up. Thank you so much for sharing about your Ebenezer stones. I LOVE that story in the Bible and my family and I often refer to certain victories and answers to prayer as our Ebenezer stones, as well. May God richly bless you.
Thank you so much Cheryl. Blessings to you and your family.
Amen.
. . .and Amen again.
Looking forward to your book launch tomorrow night! And The Pig will be there with food! What could be more perfect?
I think you and I had our photo taken with the Pig years ago at their Taste of Lower Alabama! See you Tuesday!
Leslie Anne, what a beautiful reminder that God is always with us. I was scheduled for a big back surgery that was postponed 2 weeks ago. I was so upset because I had waited months. But everyone, myself included, kept saying God did that for a reason. The surgery was scheduled for the day the hurricane hit in Greenville, SC! Imagine being in a hospital with no power and being discharged home to no power or water. God was watching out for me. Please keep praying for the devastation and suffering in NC.
Oh, Roxanne, what a story of God’s hand being on you! So glad you are safe and sound. Everyone here along the Gulf Coast is so concerned about your area. We’ve had a taste of hurricanes and the aftermath of this storm is heartbreaking. Take care – prayers are with you.
Leslie Anne, thank you for sharing this lovely post. I have often wondered how people survive life’s challenges without God. He is our hope, our peace, our rock, and Redeemer. Much success tomorrrow!
Thank you Pam, and isn’t that the truth! How do they do it?
I always find such peace when reading your posts. This one was really interesting, the bottom foundation rocks from your Great Grandparents, then the next from your folks and one from Italy, representing your Husbands Grandfather. How wonderful for you to be adding to your collection, with some from your boys and the heart shaped one, so special. The reasons and the meanings, all so special. Enjoyed every word, thank you.
Hope to see you at P&P, the line will be around the block!!!!
Arlene, readers like you are the reason I love to write. We’ve become friends through my newspaper column and blog stories and you continue to inspire me. Thank you so much for your kind words and years of encouragement. I can’t wait to see you Tuesday night.