What You Really Need to Mark Down: Remembering for the Journey

Rebecca Hatch is my guest today at The Stream's Edge. Her words will encourage you in your walk (or run) with God because life is a journey. And remembering along the way gives us hope and connection to what God is doing around us.

What You Really Need to Mark Down: Remembering for the Journey reminds us to remember God's faithfulness. Welcome Becky with me and be sure to join the conversation!

Image courtesy of Morguefile.com

I’ve taken up running again on a trail just a few miles from home.

 

I’m a short drive away from slapping my feet against the pavement with my favorite music blasting in my ears. 

After tucking my key and cell phone safely away, it’s a short stretch and quick walk to begin.  Nothing feels quite like eating distance and space up with your sneakers. 

The trail curls along a shaded line of wooden fence and purple lupines.  The path has quickly become one of my favorites.

Photo by Rebecca Hatch

One day, after a final stretch, I reached down into my shoe to pluck my car key from its hiding place—only it wasn’t there.  I pulled on all the car doors.  Locked.  Peering in I was half afraid I’d see it lying there on the passenger seat—but no key. 

My heart was really pumping now.  Holding my phone in one hand, I thought of my kids at home.  Who do I call?  The key was the only one we have.

 

Without the key I was going nowhere.

There’s a favorite song of mine from Homemade Worship By Handmade Peoplecalled True Intimacy, that says, “You’re my ambition…my destination.” 

The Message says it this way, “But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God." (Galatians 3:25 MSG)

With God as our destination, if intimacy is the goal then connection is the key. (Click to Tweet)  
   

In the desert and Deuteronomy, God tells the people to remember.  Recently, I discovered the word “remember” means “to mark” (so as to be recognized).

“And you shall remember  the whole way that [I] the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness…testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep [my] commandments or not” (Deuteronomy 8:2 ESV).

 

Memories, we know, are created using our five senses.  The more senses involved—the stronger the memory.  (That’s why we’re less likely to remember something we’ve only heard.)

God’s command “to mark” actually made it easier…and, more likely, for the people to remember what God had said and done.

Research says remembering helps us feel connected in relationships.  It can decrease depression.  Remembering the past can strengthen our ability to trust in the present, and position us for worship.

Photo by Rebecca Hatch

The Israelites piled up stones to mark their journey out of the desert. These stones helped them feel connected to God and His promises…  

Photo by Rebecca Hatch

Along the trail, near a boulder with a pile of stones—I found my car key.

 

We mark down people, places and things we want to remember on calendars and lists all the time… How do you mark your journey with God and the whole way He is leading you? (Click to Tweet)

Do you enjoy piling words high in a journal or in the margins of your Bible?  Do you doodle, paint or take photographs?  Share with us some your favorite ways to mark the journey! 

If you aren’t in the habit of marking, yet—that’s OK.  Instead, take a few minutes today and consider what this could look like for you.


Becky

Meet Rebecca Hatch:

I’m a passionate journaler and a recovering perfectionist.  I’m an RN and childbirth educator turned homeschool mom and writer.  In the middle of the clutter and the craziness, homework and the heartache, worship slips away.  So I write to slow down.  And keep pace. In this corner you’ll find me journaling everyday faith right where I am.

I’m married to an amazing man, my biggest fan and best friend, Tim. Together we’re raising our three children in New England.  I believe coffee with a friend is always a good idea and that dark-chocolate covered blueberries and Cheerios are two of the world’s most perfect foods. 

You can connect with Becky at www.RebeccaHatch.net



You can find the song, True Intimacy here: