When the entire nation had finished crossing over the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua,

"Pick twelve men from the people, one man per tribe.

Command them, 'Pick up twelve stones from right here in the middle of the Jordan, where the feet of the priests had been firmly planted. Bring them across with you and put them down in the camp where you are staying tonight.'"

...

"This will be a symbol among you. 

In the future your children may ask, 

'What do these stones mean to you?'

Then you will tell them that the water of the Jordan was cut off before the LORDs covenant chest. When it crossed over the Jordan, the water of the Jordan was cut off. These stones will be an enduring memorial for the Israelites.'"

Joshua 4:1-7 CEB

Today in NZ we celebrate Matariki, a time to Remember (those who we have lost), to Celebrate the present, and to Look Forward to the future. 

Seems that God gave the Israelites a similar idea, to have memorials of what has been, to those who have gone before us, to the grief of the last year that still feels so raw, to enjoy the now with those closest to us, and to look to the future with hope that our story is firmly held in our God's Big Story. 

#wisdom

#weareBeloved

#memorials

#life

#hope