How Far Have I Come?

How Far Have I Come?

by Ramona Furst (a guest post)

stone-heart_w520

The instructions were straight forward. “You must submit a photocopy of your passport, drivers license….” The list was lengthy.

I searched through the filing cabinet, the desk drawers in the office and found most of the documents. Wedged underneath some old folders I found a stone. I picked it up and held it in my right hand. My fingers curled around the stone until I made a fist.  I thought about the person who had given me this smooth and irregular object.  Since I still had to find two more documents, I shoved it into my pocket.

It was when I picked up a box filled with miscellaneous items, I noticed a yellowing photograph album on the bottom of a shelf in the closet. One that I had kept during my early teens. Oh dear, those wing tip glasses!  That dress, I thought it was so beautiful…. And here’s a school picture. What was his name? He was so mean me to me and oh yes HER!  I wonder whatever became of…

Much later, with the needed documents ready to be photocopied, I sat down in the living room on the sofa, pulled  the stone from my pocket and placed it on top of another album I had found from my past.

I had begun my search for the listed documents frustrated and upset with myself. “How could you forget where these important documents are kept? You don’t normally have a problem remembering things!”

Now I see that my past and present had collided into each other. “When life is getting really messy” my friend years ago said, “Put this stone in the palm of your hand and remember what God has done in your life so far.”

And there, in black and white, photographs that reminded me again the many times God had showed up and helped me through, what I had thought then, were insurmountable  situations.

I need to improve on my short term and long term memory. I want to refresh and refurbish my memory bank with all the wonderful things God has done in my life so far. Giving Him the much needed thanks and praise due Him.

Samuel took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanath. He named it Ebenezer – “the stone of help” – for he said, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us” (1Samuel 7:12, NLT).

Prayer:

Thank you for what you have done in my life. Help me to actively look to the future without fear and anxiety because I can trust in You. Rejoicing that I am “the apple of your eye.” (Psalm 17:8 E.S.V.)

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Put this stone in the palm of your hand and remember what God has done in your life so far.

Samuel took a large stone … He named it Ebenezer – “the stone of help”. 1 Sam. 7:12.

Ramona Furst

Ramona resides in North Bay, Ontario. She has spent many years in Pastoral Care especially in Palliative Care and in Bereavement support groups. Ramona is a member of TWG (The Word Guild) and considers it an honour to be a part of the TWG prayer team. She divides her time water colouring (www.ramonafurst.com ) and writing and makes effort to enjoy God’s creation and each season throughout the year by hiking, kayaking, and cross country skiing.

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4 comments

  1. How has God helped any of you to take time to reflect and remember? Was it through a situation, something someone said ? I am encouraged when other people share their stories.

  2. Beautiful, Ramona, and a message we all need to hear regularly. Thank you for encouraging us to not be so hard on ourselves, but to stop and remember how far God has brought us and what He has done. It’s all about Him, after all.

  3. A fine post and a delightful personal story, Ramona!
    Samuel’s Ebenezer / Stone of Help account is a longstanding favourite of mine.
    Thank you Ramona and Jan. I caught up on several recent posts . . .
    Excellent insights in each one. ~~+~~

    1. With my account written and posted, God used today my own words – when I noticed them on line, to keep me in check about a situation that’s playing out in my life right now. It seemed as if I could hear Him softly whisper, “How soon you forget.”

      So,I’ve moved my stone into the kitchen, placing it on the counter where I’ll see quite easily. Thank you Peter for your kind words.

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